The state water patrol’s investigation into the drowning of four people in southwest Missouri’s Niangua River in late January suggests overloading was a factor in the capsizing of the boat.
The patrol says it appears three people were in the 12-foot boat along with a generator, a battery, a trolling motor and other equipment. The investigation says it appears a fourth person was on shore and saw the boat capsize….waded into the water to rescue the others…and drowned in the frigid water. All four were wearing bulky clothes and where not wearing life jackets.
