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River accident fatal, man identified

Tuesday, July 5, 2011

4:44 p.m.

A man has died after he fell off of a boat and into the Cottonwood River this morning.

David Leroy Praeger, 32, was in a boat in the river with six children, ranging in age from 3 to 10. Praeger fell into the river around 10 a.m. today, said Jeff Cope, Lyon County Sheriff.

photo

Firefighters haul out a rescue boat to the edge of the Cottonwood River Tuesday morning.

Praeger’s body was found in the same spot at about 1:30 p.m., Cope said.

Cope said the 10 year old got the boat to the shore, then helped the younger children get off the boat. The children then walked along the highway, searching for help.

Cope said the children were not injured.

No foul play is suspected and the sheriff’s office is waiting on autopsy results, Cope said.

Authorities searched the area with boats and a helicopter was also used.

Cope encouraged everyone to wear a life jacket.

Comments

iamRIGHTwingyouareWRONG (anonymous) says...

Thoughts go out to David's family they are good people. I worked with David in high school he was a kind person, I had not spoke with him in quite a few years but always considered him a friend he will be missed.

July 5, 2011 at 5:12 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

scarlett01_98 (anonymous) says...

thoughts and prayers to his family. godspeed david.

July 5, 2011 at 6:37 p.m. ( | suggest removal )

goodoleboy (anonymous) says...

This comment was removed by the site staff for violation of the usage agreement.

July 6, 2011 at 12:19 a.m. ( )

rabblerouser (anonymous) says...

Life jackets go a long way in saving lives. Just say'in.

Thoughts and prayer's go out to the family.

July 6, 2011 at 6:56 a.m. ( | suggest removal )

gogreen (anonymous) says...

goodoleboy~ I agree with you. So unfortunate. Thankfully the children are ok.

July 6, 2011 at 9:56 a.m. ( | suggest removal )

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