Search called off for missing Richland boater

The search for a Richland construction worker who fell into the Columbia River on Sunday has been called off.

Divers spent until 9 p.m. Monday looking for Brandon Martin, 34.

Scott Ruppelius, the volunteer dive team’s public information officer, said the search has been complicated by low water visibility.

“You could swim within 10 feet of him and you wouldn’t see him,” he said.

Martin was on a boat near the center of the river near the blue bridge when his boat swerved to avoid another boat and hit some debris about 8 p.m., said investigators and friends.

The collision threw Martin, a 10-year-old boy and another adult into the river. None were wearing life jackets. The others surfaced and were pulled to safety.

Columbia Basin Dive Rescue along with emergency workers from Pasco, Kennewick, Benton and Franklin counties have searched the river and shoreline but found no sign of Martin, a construction worker who recently moved to the Tri-Cities.

The river’s current isn’t likely to move his body and, after awhile, it will surface, said Ruppelius.

Investigators say alcohol may have been a factor in the collision.

This story was originally published August 8, 2017 at 3:49 PM with the headline "Search called off for missing Richland boater."