Vancouver man identified as drowning victim
Saturday, October 11 | 5:04 a.m.
THE COLUMBIAN
A 43-year-old fisherman whose body was removed from North Fork of the Lewis River on Tuesday was identified as Roger Dean Hayes Jr. of Vancouver, according to the Clark County Medical Examiner’s Office.
He apparently fell into the swift current and drowned just after dark Tuesday night while wading from a small island near the Happa Road Boat Launch back to the shore.
The boat launch is in far-north Clark County, several miles east of Woodland.
Rescuers on foot and in boats mounted an initial search after the 911 call at 8:40 p.m., but were hampered by darkness. The search resumed at daylight Wednesday and Hayes was found about 300 yards downstream, officials said.
by steven ritter : 10/12/08 5:02am - Report Abuse
Roger was a good friend and father, he will be missed by us all, it amazes me that a man in as good of shape as Roger was. and a man who was a very good swimmer could drown like this. I guess one should never lose sight nor respect for the power of the rivers in our back yard. We'll miss ya Roger...