Search goes on for boater who didn't reach shore
PROVO — The last anyone saw of Lon Thongthipvoravong, he was holding on to an engine cover shortly after the boat that he and five of his friends and relatives were using capsized.
Others tried to encourage him to keep swimming despite the fact that he was crying, "I need help," and appeared to be struggling to keep afloat in the cold water and waves.
911 call part 1
911 call part 2
His friends later heard what they thought was a faint cry for help, possibly from Thongthipvoravong. That was the last anyone heard from him.
Searchers scoured the Utah Lake throughout Tuesday looking for the 32-year-old Laos native from Orem. The search ended for the night about 9:20 p.m. It will resume at 8 a.m. Wednesday.
By Tuesday evening, searchers had logged more than 700 man hours scouring the lake in what Utah County Sheriff's Lt. Dennis Harris said remains a "rescue effort, not a recovery."
Searchers recovered life jackets and seat cushions believed to be from the capsized boat during a 1-square-mile search of the lake between Provo and Lindon, Harris said. The perimeter will be expanded Wednesday, he said.
Earlier Tuesday, the search was concentrated in the tall reeds near the shore of the Sleepy Ridge Golf Course, where some of the survivors thought they had heard the cry for help.
Thongthipvoravong was one of six men who went fishing late Monday afternoon.
Recent comments
I'm lost in words of what to say. I've known Lon for 15+ years. I...
Gumby | June 24, 2009 at 9:23 p.m.
I am so sorry to hear that. I hope they can find him.
VIloth | June 24, 2009 at 4:30 p.m.
I hope they are able to find him, Jasmine. I am praying they will...
Empathy | June 24, 2009 at 12:15 p.m.
- High school girls basketball: Top 20 1:40 a.m.
- High school swimming rankings 1:28 a.m.
- High school girls basketball rankings 1:19 a.m.
- High school boys basketball rankings 1:00 a.m.
- Preps of the week 12:49 a.m.
- Y. volleyball beats UVU 12:46 a.m.
- Sports on the air 12:43 a.m.
- Utah Jazz: Game at a glance 12:40 a.m.
- Williams' late jumper tops Spurs 12:34 a.m.
- Revive full food tax? 12:19 a.m.
- Cougars going back to Vegas
- Utah/BYU rivalry can be more civil
- TCU to play Boise in Fiesta Bowl
- Y. profs: Beck not all-knowing
- Witness: Mitchell stalked victims
- Bring the true spirit of Christmas
- Utes excited to go to San Diego
- BYU professor remembered
- Winter weather is here to stay
- Answers for the BCS
- Y. profs: Beck not all-knowing
261 - TCU to play Boise in Fiesta Bowl
203 - Letters: Global warming a lie
156 - Cougars going back to Vegas
147 - Utah/BYU rivalry can be more civil
134 - George lost in rivalry hatefest
119 - Ed Smart 'appalled' at testimony
100 - Harpring's NBA career is over
96 - Utahns want health care reform bills
78 - Utes excited to go to San Diego
75
For the latest news in the health care debate and how it affects you...
Amazon.com, Target.com, Sears.com, Walmart.com, Kmart.com and...
When Boozer was shooting the free throws, why Sloan didn't substitute Mathew...
actions, I will be forced to be accountable for them. I refuse. I am an...
What's with the Utah fans flashing the double L sign?
@mark: So Sam da Ham... you were just making it up?" I'm a climate...
"I have no idea why BYU fans are talking smack about bowl opponents. Even if...
You say to "quit whining and play somebody." Isn't that what everyone is...
Reading these comments, I start wondering-- Whatever happened to faith? Why...
All those numbers when all you reall need to know is that BYU has beat Utah...
All thos numbers when all you reall need to know is that BYU has beat Utah...
So Sam da Ham, when you said this: "Not so. Al Gore is poised to make...


