SUTTON, W.Va. — Authorities discovered the boat of a Braxton County man who went fishing Monday and never returned, fueling concern he drowned in Sutton Lake.
Joe McPherson, 64, of Sutton, reportedly headed to the lake about 10:30 a.m. Monday. When he hadn’t returned by that evening, his wife called the agency concerned for his safety, said West Virginia Division of Natural Resources police.
“He was overdue when she called,” said DNR Capt. Doug Benson. “He should have been back early afternoon and she notified us about 6 p.m.”
His flat-bottom boat with the tiller outboard motor was found on the lake shore Monday night. Investigators speculated he was thrown into the water and the boat continued moving, eventually running aground.
“After we found the boat abandoned, early indications are the boat struck something submerged,” said Benson. “That possibly ejected him out of this boat and into the water.”
Uncertain where McPherson may have ejected, crews must search the entirety of Sutton Lake, which covers 1,520 acres.
“We’ve got some divers in the area now. Dragging is difficult because of the structure on the bottom,” said Benson. “The local volunteer fire department did some dragging yesterday, but now I think it’s mostly divers in the general area.”
The search continued Wednesday, but Benson admits it’s a difficult search. He’s asking anyone on the lake to be on the lookout for the victim.