Search Continues for Missing Fisherman at Keokuk

The search resumes this morning for a boater that jumped off a fishing boat before it went through a spillway on Lock and Dam 19 at Keokuk Friday afternoon.

Hamilton Fire Chief Steve Helenthal reports two men were fishing north of the dam when their motor stalled and they lost their anchor about 1:30 p.m. Friday.

One of the fisherman jumped off the boat before it went through the dam, while the other man rode the boat through the spillway. The second man was rescued a short time later.

The search for the man who jumped began about mid-afternoon Friday and was called at dark. Authorities said the search would resume at 7 a.m. Saturday.

The mangled remains of the boat were found Friday night near Alexandria, Missouri.

Neither of the fishermen have been identified by authorities.

Agencies involved in the rescue and recovery efforts are the Hamilton and Warsaw Fire and Police Departments, the Illinois Department of Natural Resources, Hancock County Sheriff’s Department and Keokuk Emergency Corps.