Video: Search for missing boaters in Nisqually River

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LACEY, Wash. - Dive teams resumed a search today for a 9-year-old boy, Sean McCartney, and a 32-year-old man missing after a small boat overturned in the swift-flowing Nisqually River east of Lacey.

The boy's 5-year-old brother – Cameron McCartney - died after the boat carrying five people capsized last night just upstream from the Interstate 5 bridge south of Fort Lewis.

The boat operator likely faces three counts of homicide by watercraft.

Investigators say Vincent Farler, a 42-year-old Olympia resident, was driving the boat recklessly at more than two times the legal limit for alcohol use when he hit a log jam, causing the worst boating accident locals can remember.

The 16-foot flat-bottomed boat was carrying three adults and two children when it capsized. Thurston County sheriff's Lt. Chris Mealy says Farler and the boys' mother – Erin McCarntney - made it safely to shore, but the man and child remain missing.

A conviction on a "homicide by boat" charge can result in a life sentence in prison.

When the boat capsized, swift currents and 50-degree temperatures made the water tough to swim in - especially since none of the passengers had life vests on. The body of the 5-year-old was recovered about 250 yards downstream.  

Divers entered the water at first light Friday, hopeful of finding those who remain missing. Tacoma Power planned to reduce flow at Alder and LaGrande dams starting Friday at 5 p.m. to aid in the search on the river. Visitors to the Nisqually were advised to expect lower-than-normal river levels.

Valinda Reddoch says finding the two bodies will give her some closure, because she helped the boys' mother get out of the river last night.

"She said my kids are in the water, they're underneath the water, they're gone, they're dead," Reddoch said.

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Investigators say Vincent Farler, a 42-year-old Olympia resident, likely faces charges of homicide by watercraft in a June 12 boat wreck on the Nisqually.

Investigators say the mother of the boys had been drinking earlier in the day. She may eventually face some criminal charges.

She apparently did not know Farler until he drove up in the boat and asked if they wanted a ride on the river.

 The child's father is serving in Iraq. He found out Friday his boys were killed.