65-year-old man missing after boat capsizes on north fork of Lewis River

Published: Jan. 29, 2023 at 2:38 PM PST

CLARK COUNTY, Wash. (KPTV) - A 65-year-old man is missing after a boating accident on the north fork of the Lewis River Sunday morning.

Just upriver from the Lewis River Golf Course, two fishermen hit a rock with their boat. Stopped against the current, the boat took on water and eventually flipped. Neither man was wearing a life jacket as they fell into the icy river.

Another boater spotted the capsized boat and found one of the men, bringing him safely to shore, but they lost sight of the other man.

Unfortunately, with spotty cellphone service, they weren’t able to call for help until nearly an hour.

SEE ALSO: Tow truck driver injured after hit-and-run with another tow truck on I-84 in Portland

[Article continues below image]

Capsized boat on north fork of Lewis River; 65-year-old man missing after boat capsizes on north fork of Lewis River(Clark Co. Sheriff's Office)

At about 12:30 p.m., they finally got through to emergency responders. Teams from Clark-Cowlitz Fire & Rescue and the Clark County Sheriff’s Office arrived soon after. They treated the rescued man for exposure while crews and police searched the area, including both river banks, for several hours by boat and drone.

At 4 p.m., the search was suspended and rescuers said the operation has become a recovery. Police said the fire and rescue marine unit will start looking again on Monday morning.

This is developing news. FOX 12 will update this story when more information is available.