MOSES LAKE, Wash. (18SEPT2014) - An 80-year-old Moses Lake man died Thursday Sept. 18 after falling from a boat and into the Potholes Reservoir near Moses Lake.
Grant County Sheriff’s Deputies, State Fish and Wildlife officers, Grant County Search and Rescue, Grant County Fire District 5 and AMR ambulance responded to the report of a water rescue about 12:45 p.m. The location is a remote area at the north end of Potholes Reservoir about four miles south of Interstate 90 exit 174, near GPS N47° 04’ 40” / W119° 25’ 43”.
The victim, Tommie Chapman, was fishing from a small boat with a friend when the boat capsized. Both Chapman and his friend, also in his 80s, fell into the water. Chapman did not resurface. He was not wearing a life jacket. Firefighters recovered his body around 2 p.m. Chapman’s friend made it to shore and was not injured.
The victim’s remains are in the care of Grant County Coroner Craig Morrison whose staff will conduct an autopsy.
“I want to extend my sympathies to Mr. Chapman’s family and friends,” said Sheriff Tom Jones. “This was an awful end to a quiet day of late-summer fishing, and I pray Mr. Chapman’s loved ones can find peace.”
It’s important to recognize MACC 911 dispatchers who provided a vital link between responders and the woman who called for help. Dispatchers did an outstanding job guiding rescuers to the remote incident scene.
Follow us: www.facebook.com/GrantCoSheriff
###
CR#14GS11570
PR75/AGT2
