Pierre man drowns in Missouri River while trying to retrieve boat
July 28, 2020
FORT PIERRE, S.D.–A 67-year-old man from Pierre has died after he went into the Missouri River while unloading his boat at the Fort Pierre boat ramp Monday morning.
Stanley County Chief Deputy Sheriff Greg Swanson says David Braun was pronounced dead at Avera St. Mary’s Hospital in Pierre.
Swanson says a local resident talked with Braun when he arrived at the boat ramp by himself around 6:30 Monday morning. While unloading, Swanson says it appears the boat got away from Braun, who went into the water to try to retrieve it.
Swanson says depending on the amount of water being released through the Oahe Dam, the water can be around 10 feet deep in that area and have a strong current.
He says rescuers were on scene for a little over 30 minutes when a Pierre Volunteer Fire Department Rescue Squad diver recovered Braun’s body about 15 yards from the ramp. He was not wearing a life jacket.
