(Wahpeton)– The search for a 12-year-old Estherville boy missing since October 23rd when a dock barge he was on sunk on West Lake Okoboji continues, but has now gone private.
A news release posted on the Dickinson County Sheriff’s website states the family of Colin Helmers is continuing their search privately with assistance from local volunteers.
A two-person submarine from California was brought in by family members over the Thanksgiving weekend.
Local search and rescue crews remain on standby for any assistance if it’s needed.
Helmers was on the barge with 31-year-old Matthew Molacek of Wallingford when it reportedly took on water and sunk off of Gull Point late in the afteroon of October 23rd. Molacek’s body was found a couple days later a short distance from the barge in about 65 feet of water.
The two had been removing docks.
A gusty wind was blowing that day and the lake was said to be choppy in the area of where the two had been removing docks.
