On the morning of May 19, 2007, a planned sturgeon fishing trip on the Columbia River turned into a tragedy for the Slater family. Donald K. Slater, a 40-year-old man from Warrenton, Oregon, was on his sports boat with his 19-year-old son, Brian, and his son's 23-year-old friend, Eric Peterson. Shortly before 8 a.m., they were near the Astoria Bridge when an accident occurred.
The anchor line reportedly got tangled on a bow cleat, and the strong ebb tide pulled the bow of the 16-foot boat down, causing it to quickly roll over in the current and ejecting all three men into the 58-degree water.
A person on the shore witnessed the event and called for help. A swift response was initiated, involving a Coast Guard helicopter, a motor lifeboat, and a response boat, along with the Clatsop County Sheriff's Office marine patrol. The rescue teams managed to pull Donald's son and his friend from the dangerously fast-moving water. Both young men were on the verge of drowning and were taken to a local hospital for treatment before being released. Tragically, despite being seen in the water within 15 minutes of the rescue, Donald Slater disappeared.
An extensive search for Donald was launched by the Coast Guard, covering 40 square nautical miles of the lower Columbia River from the bridge to the river's mouth. However, the search was suspended later that afternoon, pending any new developments. Donald Slater, who was not wearing a life jacket, was never recovered and is presumed to have drowned. The capsized boat was later recovered and turned over to his son. The case remains a heartbreaking loss for his family and a somber reminder of the unforgiving nature of the powerful river currents near the Oregon coast. Although his companions survived the terrifying ordeal, the incident left a permanent void in the lives of those who knew and loved Don.Last Seen: May 19, 2007
