Man missing after dive into Columbia

DESERT AIRE - Search and rescue personnel from Grant County started a search of the Columbia River near here for a possible drowning victim on Sunday afternoon and were still searching at deadline time for The Royal Register.

According to Kyle Foreman, of Grant County Emergency Services, the man being sought was part of a group of recreational boaters from western Washington. He had not been identified as of Monday morning for obvious reasons.

Foreman said it appears the boats were at idle and some of the occupants were diving and swimming. The man being sought made a dive and never came back up. Foreman said it was unknown if the group was using life jackets.

Grant County Sheriff's Deputies and Grant County Fire District No. 8 personnel were called to the scene at about 2:45 p.m. The search was begun shortly thereafter.

Grant County Marine deputies were assisted by the SARBOT remote controlled underwater search robot owned by the Franklin County Sheriff's Office. They were unable to locate the missing man by dark.

As is customary, the search was suspended after dark for safety reasons. It was resumed early Monday morning.

- Staff report