On 5/23/10 at approximately 1730 hours a 1983 Larson 14ft took on water while drifting near the entrance to paige Creek Cove on Cedar Bluff Reservoir.  Operator’s son and a friend were passengers on the boat.  Operator was attempting to get the motor running when water began to come over the aft portion of the boat.  The boat capsized, sending all passengers into the water.  Occupant1 and Occupant2 were wearing PFDs, but Operator was not wearing a PFD.  Operator attempted to swim to Occupant1 in order to put Occupant1 on the capsized boat.  Operator swam hard for approximately 30 minutes before he went under and did not re-surface.  

At approximately1830 hours a person heard someone yelling help.  Good samaritan rescued Occupant1 and Occupant2 from the water, but was unable to recover Operator (see Voluntary Statement).  Good samaritan transported Occupant1 and Occupant2 to the boat dock in Apache Cove where Good samaritan then contacted Trego Law enforcement Center at 1907 hours.  Trego LEC contacted Trego Sheriff Office, Trego EMS, Plainville dive Team and Officer Hawman to provide assistance.  Trego EMS transported Occupant1 to Lemke Memorial Hospital in WaKeeney, KS for further medical examination at approximately 2000 hours.  Occupant2 refused medical aid.  Officer and Cedar Bluff State Park Manager were on scene at 1943 hours.

Officer and Manager unloaded Cedar Bluff Reservoir Patrol Boat and began search near the scene where Operator had been spotted last.  The Plainville Dive Team was utilized, but operations were halted at approximately 2300 hours per the Dive Team.  Recovery operations were conducted for the next 3 days using side-sonar, cadaver K-9s, KHP's airplane, and the Dive Team.

The vessel was recovered on 5/24/10 on the north shore of Cedar Bluff Reservoir near Dream Camp at approximately 1520 hours by Officer Hawman and Officer Seibel.  The plug was in place and there was one Type II PFD, one Type III PFD, and one Type IV PFD in the vessel when recovered.  The vessel was photographed (see attachments) and secured in the Cedar Bluff State Park Maintenance compound.  The Hull Identification on the vessel read LARF1769M83C.  However, the KS registration shows the HIN being LARF1769M82D.  Officer could not find any record of a vessel with a HIN of LARF1769M82D.

On morning of 5/27/10 Operator resurfaced in Paige Creek Cove near where the boat had capsized and was recovered by the Plainville Dive Team at approximately 0830 hours.  Operator was transported to Schmidt Funeral Home in Wakeeney, KS where the coroner examined the body.  Father identified the body and did not request an autopsy.  END OF REPORT

Wakeeney                      