Depth Bars Search

Sun., June 13, 1999

Because of the depth of Rock Lake, near St. John, Wash., divers couldn’t search Saturday for two teens presumed drowned in a boating accident.

The spot where the boat was likely swamped is 280 to 320 feet deep, authorities said. Spokane County’s search and rescue team doesn’t dive deeper than 100 feet.

Family members and friends, however, continued looking for the bodies of Derek Miller, 18, and Brent Repp, 17, both of Whitman County.

They disappeared Thursday night when their 12-foot boat was overcome by wind and waves about 80 yards from a private beach. A third boy in the boat, Jason Huntley, 17, managed to swim to shore.

None of the boys was wearing a life jacket. No alcohol was involved, according to the Whitman County Sheriff’s Department.

Deputies ended their search shortly before 6 p.m. Saturday, but more than 15 private boats stayed on the water using sonar and grappling hooks to locate the bodies.

“At least 200 community members, pretty much the whole town of St. John, have come to help, bringing food, gas and drinks,” Deputy Brett Myers said.

Local journalism is essential.

Give directly to The Spokesman-Review's Northwest Passages community forums series -- which helps to offset the costs of several reporter and editor positions at the newspaper -- by using the easy options below. Gifts processed in this system are tax deductible.

Meet Our Journalists

Jesse Tinsley

Meet Jesse Tinsley. As a certified drone pilot, this veteran Spokesman-Review photographer often can be seen capturing beautiful aerial photographs of our region. Sometimes though, the job requires getting down with the dogs.
Jim Meehan

Jim Meehan is no stranger to Zag Nation. As the lead writer covering the Gonzaga men’s basketball team, he tells the stories behind the game and gets fans a bit closer to their favorite players.
Molly Quinn

There is no artist in Spokane like Molly Quinn. Her whimsical style is instantly recognizable to readers of The Spokesman-Review. She has painted gorgeous illustrations that instantly elevate the journalism accompanying it. She brings to life the stories that defy photography. She makes our pages better.
Rob Curley

Spokesman-Review editor Rob Curley loves to talk with people and learn about their lives, whether it's a best-selling author or a stranger he meets downtown on his walk to lunch. It's that inquisitive nature combined with a playful sense of storytelling that helps make our newspaper different than most.