For further information please contact: Sgt. Jerry Callahan 573-751-1000 or
Sergeant Dan Bracker 417-895-6868

WPD2011129
1-29-2011

EMPHASIS: Highway Patrol Responds To Quadruple Boating Fatality On The Niangua River

On the evening of January 28, 2011, The Missouri State Highway Patrol responded to the Lead Mine Conservation Area on the Niangua River in Dallas County due to a reported capsized boat with an individual in the water. A Highway Patrol trooper and Missouri Conservation agent responded by boat and located David L. Dixon, 68, of Fair Grove, MO, hanging to a capsized vessel in the water. Mr. Dixon was air lifted to St. Johns Mercy Hospital in Springfield where he was later pronounced dead.

Further investigation revealed three more deceased victims in the river. They are identified as Doyle G Cowin, 62, Hubert E. Highfill, 43, and Jesse Highfill, 11. All victims are from Fair Grove, MO.

Preliminary investigations have shown the subjects were on the Niangua River for a fish gigging trip and had planned to return home that evening. Further information may be obtained from the "Boating/Drowning Incident Reports" on the "Traffic Crashes" page at the Missouri State Highway Patrol's website: www.mshp.dps.mo.gov.

There will be a news conference at the Lead Mine Conservation Access where public information and education officers from the Missouri State Highway Patrol will meet with members of the media at 12:30 pm on January 29, 2011. Directions to the Lead Mine Conservation Area are as follows: Take Missouri Route E east of Tunas in Dallas County. Turn south onto Missouri Route T. Turn east on Missouri Route YY. Make a left on State Forest Road which will take you to the boat ramp.


(###)