Capsized boat recovered, third man still missing at Lake Henshaw

Capsized boat recovered, third man still missing at Lake Henshaw

By: North County Times

LAKE HENSHAW ---- A Sheriff's Department dive team looking for the body of a fisherman instead found the aluminum boat that capsized killing three men on Lake Henshaw, authorities said Saturday.

The small boat capsized about 3:30 p.m. Thursday during a thunderstorm that included lightening and gusty winds.

The boat was blown to one side of the lake, sheriff's Lt. Mike Barletta said in a written news statement. Sheriff's spokeswoman Jan Caldwell said it did not appear the vessel had been struck by lightning.


Two bodies were recovered, and the team was continuing its search for the third man today.

One man, Thomas Meridieth, 63, of Glendora, was pulled from the water soon after the boat capsized, but died on scene despite efforts to revive him, Barletta said.

The body of a second man, a 58-year-old Pasadena resident, was found by the dive team Friday. His name has not been released pending the notification of his family.

Barletta said the accident happened after a fisherman in a boat offered a ride to three fisherman walking along the shore so they would avoid the coming storm. Two of the men accepted and another kept walking.

The fisherman on shore suddenly noticed the capsized boat and saw one of the fisherman face down floating to the other side of the lake, Barletta said. He ran to get the man out of the water and then went for help.