Search ends for man lost in Columbia River

LONGVIEW — The Coast Guard is suspending its search for a 38-year-old man who may have drowned in the Columbia River near Fisher Island, west of Longview in Cowlitz County.

The man was hunting for geese with his 15-year-old son early this morning when the boat they were using went adrift. The man entered the water to try to retrieve it, but struggled and disappeared beneath the water, his son told the U.S. Coast Guard.

Authorities said the teen tried to save his father but wasn’t able to reach him before he disappeared.

The Portland and Astoria Coast Guard stations in Oregon launched a helicopter and boat to help Cowlitz County officials in the search.

Cowlitz County Sheriff’s department is still searching the area with divers.