On 062809 hrs, Cowlitz County 911 rec'd a call of a capsized canoe in the Lewis River in the 1200 Blk of S. Pekin Ferry Rd. from .  Members of the Cowlitz County Sheriff's Office Patrol and Marine Enforcement, Dive Team and Woodland Police and Fire Dept's and a helicopter from USCG station Astoria responded.  subject 1, one of the operators of the canold told first responding onscence units that he and subject 2, the other operator, they had left Clark Co side of the river from a residence to meet some friends o the Cowlitz CO. side of the river at the PEkin Ferry boat launch area to shoot off fireworks. subject 1  related that both were rowing across the river and both rowing on the same side of the boat.  The canoe capsized and both went into the water.  Neither was wearing a PFD, although, two were on board for use.  Both subjects had been drinking.  According to subject 1 they were 30 feet off shore and both were clinging to the canoe. subject 1 related that subject 2 said he was getting cold and told him he was going to swim for shore. subject 2 began swimming.  this was the last time subject 1 saw him.  subject 1 made it to shore, puling the canoe partially up on the bank.

Woodland Police arrived first on scene.  calls to subject 2 were unresponded to.  Cowlitz Marine Enforcement and Woodland Fire put boats in the water for a search.  A helicopter from USCG station, Astoria also responded and searched the area in the river for many hours.  subject 2 was assumed drowned.  The following morning SAR units and Dive Team from Cowlitz County located subject 2's body near the area where he was last seen by subject 1.
Woodland                      