FAIR GROVE, Mo., Jan. 30 (UPI) -- Two men and a boy whose small boat capsized while they were spear fishing on a river in Missouri and their would-be rescuer died, officials said.
The 12-foot boat carrying Hubert "Eugene" Highfill, 43, his 11-year-old son Jesse and his father-in-law David Dixon, 68, all of Fair Grove turned over on the Niangua River Friday night near Tunas, the Springfield News-Leader reported Saturday.
Doyle "Pete" Cowin, 62, also of Fair Grove, tried to rescue them, possibly after hearing cries for help, and also wound up dead, the newspaper said.
Dixon was found clinging to the overturned boat by a state conservation officer who heard his calls for help. He was taken to a hospital where he was pronounced dead of hypothermia, the newspaper said.
The three other victims, who were not wearing life jackets, were pulled from the river and pronounced dead at the scene, the News-Leader reported.
"It's quite tragic to have that large of your family (die)," said Darla Edmonson, a victim's daughter. "Nobody should have to go through it. We honestly still don't know exactly what happened. They were very experienced."
