(Estherville)– An Estherville couple whose son is believed to have drowned in West Lake Okoboji has just one wish this holiday season–to have their son found.
12-year-old Collin Helmers was on a dock barge that sunk off of Gull Point late in the afternoon of October 23rd. He’s been the subject of an intensive search ever since.
The body of the man who was driving the barge, Matthew Molacek of Wallingford, was found a couple of days after the incident a short distance from where the barge went down.
Divers have used all sorts of high-tech sonar and global positioning equipment and even a submarine in their search for Collin, but to no avail.
Mark Petersen, Captain of the Okoboji Underwater Search and Rescue Dive Team, says the search will continue, even after the lake freezes over. He says they’ll drill holes in the ice in which sonar equipment will be placed.
Meanwhile, Carla and Randy Helmers keep their son’s memory alive with a bulletin board that has his picture on it along with copies of materials he wrote.
More than 30-thousand dollars has been donated to a foundation bearing Collin’s name. The money will be used for water-safety equipment and programs and for scholarships for people who pursue careers in water-rescue and safety.
Donations to the Collin Helmers Foundation can be sent to Northstar Bank, c/o Collin Helmers Foundation; 2202 Central Avenue; Estherville, Iowa…51334.
(The Associated Press contributed to this story).
