Victim identified as Hillsboro man

Officials continue to search Marion Reservoir for the body of a missing boater.

Timothy Kliewer, 71, of Hillsboro, was believed to have fallen overboard Thursday afternoon after his sailboat was found overturned with no one on board. His truck and trailer also were located at Hillsboro Cove.

Law enforcement and emergency medical services personnel, along with volunteer firefighters, searched Thursday afternoon and evening until the search was called because of darkness.

The call came in to Marion County sheriff’s dispatch at 5:43 p.m. Thursday that a boat was on its side between the dam and Cottonwood Point. The reporting party did not see anyone around the boat or in the water near the boat.

When authorities reached the capsized boat against the northeast shoreline, officials found a life jacket, wet suit, and cell phone but no sign of a passenger. According to Marion County Sheriff Rob Craft, the boat was 14-to 16-feet long with two hulls and one sail.

Personnel have walked the lake shoreline and searched with boats and in the air for the victim since Thursday. Kansas Highway Patrol provided an airplane and a helicopter to aid in the search.

This is the second time in two weeks emergency workers have been called to the lake for a boating accident.

A 70-year-old minister from Hutchinson died April 29, when his fishing boat capsized in high winds. Officials speculated Thursday that strong winds might have caused this most recent incident as well.