Boater dies after being pulled from windy Columbia River near Finley. 2nd man survives

An unconscious boater in his 50s was pulled from the Columbia River in Finley late Saturday afternoon.

He was taken to Kadlec Regional Medical Center in Richland.

Benton County Coroner Bill Leach confirmed that his office received a call about a Finley incident, in which a man had died after being taken to the hospital Saturday.

Two boaters were on the river when they lost their anchor and began to drift in windy weather Saturday afternoon, and their boat began to take on water, according to initial reports.

One boater, who was wearing a life jacket, called 911.

First responders were called to Two Rivers Park shortly after 4 p.m.

The second boater was pulled out of the water near East Lechelt Road and CPR was started.

He was unconscious when Benton Fire District 1 medics took him to Kadlec, said Jenna Kochenauer, the district spokesperson.

Information on the incident was limited on Sunday.

This story was originally published April 7, 2024 at 1:21 PM.