5-year-old dead in Thurston County boat accident; 2 others missing

A 5-year-old boy died Thursday when a 16-foot, flat-bottomed boat carrying three adults and two children overturned in the Nisqually River, east of Lacey in Thurston County.

Still missing in the river late Thursday night were a 9-year-old boy and a man. A woman and another man, who was operating the craft, reached shore safely after the boat overturned shortly after 6 p.m.

The 42-year-old boat operator, from Olympia, was arrested on suspicion of homicide by watercraft, Mealy said. He was to be held overnight in Thurston County Jail and make a court appearance today, the lieutenant said.

Sheriff's Department Lt. Chris Mealy said a citizen at a spot popularly known as the handicapped fishing area at the end of Sixth Avenue off Old Pacific Highway, reported a woman clinging to the overturned craft on the river and screaming that youngsters were in the water.

Five people had been in the boat, and none was wearing life jackets, Mealy said.

At about 8:45 p.m., the body of the 5-year-old was recovered about 250 yards downstream from the handicapped fishing area. Mealy said the woman and the boys were from nearby Yelm.

"People that know this river tell me the river is high and it's very fast, and the area is very treacherous as far as river depth," Mealy said. "It's turbulence and unpredictable."

Mealy said rescuers would continue searching Thursday night, with plans to ramp up the search if necessary at first light today.