River Rocks Blamed In Boating Deaths

Thu., Dec. 18, 1997

From Staff And Wire Reports

Police believe a boat carrying two steelhead fishermen who drowned near Orofino Saturday hit a rock, pitching the men into frigid water.

The boat apparently was headed downriver when it hit a rock. The force of the current pivoted the boat and it hit another rock, throwing the men into the Clearwater River.

The 15-foot Smokercraft boat showed dents in the bottom of the hull and on the side near the waterline that would fit the explanation.

The accident claimed the lives of Marvin S. Marcell, 40, and William K. VanThiel, 46, who owned the boat. Neither man was wearing a lifejacket.

Marcell, a Lewiston resident, and VanThiel of Clarkston, Wash., were frequent fishing partners. They were fishing for steelhead about six miles downstream from Orofino.

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River Rocks Blamed In Boating Deaths

Jesse Tinsley

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