On 09/06/2012 at about 2:39 p.m. Operator had reportedly gone fishing in a 1998 16 foot 2-person kayak on the Columbia River.  Victim's body was found floating in the river channel by another boater.  The accident was not witnessed. 

Law enforcement reported when they went to recover the subject from the water he was floating face down with a Type 3 PFD tied around his right thigh.   

The victim's kayak was owned by his father, who described the kayak type and color for the officers.  The victim's kayak was located two days later on September 8th on the west side of the Columbia River about 3 to 4 miles down river from the White Bluffs boat launch. 

No vessel damage was reported. 

There was no indication of alcohol involvement. 

A Type 3 PFD was tied around the victim's right thigh. 

The victim had no formal operator instruction but was reported to have between 100 hours and 500 hours of experience operating this type of watercraft.
 
The victim did not have the mandatory Boater Education card.

Mattawa                       