A boating accident on Bear Creek at Rangeline Street in Boone County early Monday morning resulted in one fatality and minor injuries to three others, according to the Missouri State Highway Patrol.
The incident occurred at 4:17 a.m. when a 2008 Zodiac FC420, operated by Matthew Tobben, 42, of Sturgeon, Missouri, was swamped by high water. Tobben and one of the occupants, who were first responders, had rescued the other two occupants from swift-moving water. While returning to the bank, the vessel lost engine power and began to drift in the strong current.
The boat was swamped with water, causing all four individuals on board to be ejected from the vessel. Tobben was found deceased a short distance from the boat. He was pronounced dead at the scene at 8:53 a.m. by Boone County Medical Examiner Stacey Huck. The other occupants, Paige J. Pace, 29, of Columbia, Missouri, Derek K. Abbott, 36, of Fulton, Missouri, and Charlie Resonno, 38, of Columbia, Missouri, suffered minor injuries and were released at the scene.
Tobben was wearing a flotation device at the time of the accident. The boat, which sustained minor damage, was returned to the fire department.
The Missouri State Highway Patrol was assisted by Captain M. A. Petlansky, Sergeant J. W. Sellers, and Corporal T. W. O’Brien during the investigation.
