Missouri boat overloaded when 4 died
Investigators say a boating accident in southwest Missouri that killed four members of a family probably happened because the boat was overloaded.
The Jan. 28 accident on the Niangua River killed an 11-year-old boy, his father, his grandfather and his great uncle. The family was celebrating the boy's birthday with a fishing trip.
The Missouri State Water Patrol said the boat carried a generator, a marine battery, a trolling motor and other equipment. The patrol said frigid water temperatures also contributed to the deaths.
The victims were David Dixon, 68; Doyle Cowin, 62; Hubert Highfill, 43 and Jesse Highfill, 11, all of Fair Grove.
STLToday.com
St. Louis Today
Friday, April 8, 2011 7:05 a.m.