Visalia woman among victims of Colorado River boat crash

The body of a Visalia woman with connections to the Tulare County Sheriff’s Office was among four people missing after two boats crashed on the Colorado River was found Monday, authorities said.

Christine Lewis, 51, daughter of a local farm manager and the step-daughter of former Tulare County Sheriff Bill Wittman, was discovered in a section of the river along the California-arizona border, Mohave County Sheriff’s Office spokeswoman Anita Mortensen said.

Lewis was among more than a dozen people ejected from the boats in the crash Saturday night. A search continued for two other women and one man.

The Tulare County Sheriff’s Office issued the following statement Monday on the incident:

“We are deeply saddened to hear about the horrible crash on the Colorado River. We know that there will be families right here in Tulare County grieving the loss of their loved ones for days, months and years to come and our hearts absolutely go out to them. Sheriff Boudreaux spoke with the family this morning and is in constant contact with them.

“We are also keeping in close contact with the Mohave County Sheriff’s Office and the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department, who are heading up rescue and recovery efforts. And we’re ready to provide whatever assistance they might need. Please keep the families of all of those affected by this tragedy in your prayers.”

The statement also said Sheriff Mike Boudreaux will not be doing any interviews at this time.

A recreational boat carrying 10 people and another vessel with six people on board collided head-on Saturday night along the well-traveled stretch of the river. Both boats sank, and passing boaters pulled crash victims from the water. Nine people were injured, with two in critical condition, authorities said. The cause of the crash is being investigated.

None of the boaters were wearing life jackets, which aren’t required but are recommended by authorities, Mohave

Mohave County Sheriff Doug Shuster said.

The crash occurred between two popular marinas and near Moabi Regional Park, as people enjoyed the Labor Day weekend.

Helicopters have been deployed as part of the search, and authorities have scoured the shoreline. Divers have been sent into the river, which can run as deep as 30 feet (9 meters).

“These efforts will continue until all of those who are missing and unaccounted for have been located,” Shuster told reporters.

Authorities closed off a stretch of the river where the search was taking place.