TRI-CITIES, Wash. – One person is dead after being pulled from the Columbia River after a boating incident on April 6.
According to the Benton County Sheriff’s Office, the death of William V. Orndorff, 52, in the river just east of Finley is being investigated as a drowning, although an official autopsy is pending.
Sheriff’s Deputies responded to the scene around 4:06 p.m. for reports of a boat taking on water.
Two men were reportedly in the boat east of Two Rivers Park when it began to take on water, possibly due to high winds in the area.
Michael Miller, Orndorff’s cousin, called 911 when the boat started sinking, according to the BCSO. Miller was able to put a lifejacket on, but reported that Orndorff went overboard and he could not see him.
Columbia Basin Dive and Rescue, Benton County Fire District #1 and the Pasco Fire Department all responded to the scene.
The Pasco Fire Department’s boat located Miller and Orndorff. Lifesaving measures, including CPR, were performed on Orndorff, however he later died at the hospital.
