(UPDATE) Canyon Ferry residents recount water rescue:
(1st REPORT) On Wednesday afternoon, a storm rolled over Canyon Ferry Lake that caused a boat to sink.
Officials say the storm created swells on the water that overtook the boat that was carrying six passengers and brought it underwater.
Lewis & Clark County Sheriff's Office Captain Kevin Wright told MTN that the boaters were trying to get back to shore after noticing the storm, but were unable to make it back in time.
"There was a speed boat that had six adult individuals in it and they were, you know, just out recreating on the lake when they saw a storm coming. They attempted to head back to the Shannon boat launch, and they weren't able to make it there because the winds and the swells of the water overtook the boat and basically sunk it," said Wright via phone.
All the passengers made it shore safely; viewers told MTN that one person swam to shore and the other five were rescued by another boater.
A homeowner in the area said the storm was brief but violent, noting the water had large waves during the storm.
Prior to MTN leaving the scene, the boat was completely submerged. There is no timetable as to when it might be recovered, and an investigation is pending.
(NOTE) This article has been updated to reflect that one person swam to shore, and the other five were rescued by another boater. MTN was initially told that all six occupants of the boat swam to shore.
- JUNE 2020: Six people survived a boating accident on Holter Lake thanks to the quick actions of strangers. Click here for details + video.
