Alcohol suspected in boat collision near cable bridge

Tag : marine cable

Benton County investigators believe alcohol was involved in aboating accident that apparently killed an elderly man Saturday.
A 74-year-old man is missing in the Columbia River near Finleyafter his boat was hit from behind by another boat Saturday night.
He is presumed dead after searchers failed to find him Saturda,investigators said. Authorities have not released the names ofanyone involved in Saturday's accident.
The Benton County Sheriff's Office Marine Patrol, Columbia BasinDive Rescue and the Coast Guard searched until 2 p.m. Sunday beforebreaking for the day.
Benton County Coroner Rick Corson said divers recovered remainsSunday but couldn't confirm whether they were human. He plans toconsult a physical anthropologist.
Scott Pattison, dive rescue spokesman, said searchers will regrouptoday and plan where to look next.
The missing man and his wife were boating on a 30-foot Tollycraftcabin cruiser anchored about 200 feet off the Benton County shore,east of the railroad bridge.
The Tollycraft was hit from behind by a 28-foot Chaparral cuddycabin day cruiser carrying four people.
Chris Fry of Kennewick was fishing along the river bank and saw theexplosive collision about 8 p.m.
Fry said the Chaparral launched up over the Tollycraft's back end,ripping off a blue canopy that covered the length of the boat. Thenthe boats broke apart and the Chaparral started drifting downriver.
Benton County Lt. Brian White said investigators believe themissing man was standing on the rear of the Tolleycraft trying topull in a dinghy when the Chaparral hit.
He likely was struck by the oncoming boat and received severeinjuries, White said.
Investigators saw alcohol on the Chaparral and White said theysmelled it on the boat's operator.
The missing man's 71-year-old wife was taken to Kadlec MedicalCenter with serious injuries, including a possible broken rib. Shelater was released, White said.
The 51-year-old man who was operating the Chaparral and his51-year-old wife were taken to Kennewick General Hospital. Whitesaid the operator was admitted to the hospital, but his wife wasreleased.
A 41-year-old woman and 21-year-old man who were passengers on theChaparral were not hospitalized.