Victims of weekend boating accident ID’d

By Patrick Lynn

Portage Co. deputies have released the identities of both victims of a boating accident that occurred Saturday on the Wisconsin River.

The Portage Co. Sheriff’s Office says the body of James Glodowski, 60, was recovered. His fishing partner, 56-year-old Timothy Coulthurst, has not yet been found but is presumed dead. Both men are from Stevens Point.

“Recovery teams searched all weekend, including crews with side-scanning sonar, but the second man has not yet been located,” a news release from PCSO reads in part. “Teams continue to comb the area as best they can, and are hopeful that Timothy can be found soon.”

Crews were called to the river, just south of the Lake Dubay Dam, at 6:54 a.m. on Oct. 6 after a witness reported seeing a boat capsize, then two people hanging on to the boat, before it struck the dam.

The release said “treacherous water conditions and worsening weather patterns” have hampered recovery efforts, but law enforcement will continue to search on the water, from shore, and from the air via drone surveillance.

“Individuals are warned to stay well clear of the dam, as conditions are currently dangerous, and expected to worsen as heavy rains upstream are forcing large volumes of water through the Wisconsin River dam system,” the release reads.

The Portage Co. Sheriff’s Office, Dept. of Natural Resources, and fire crews from Stevens Point, Rudolph, and Dewey all responded to the scene. The Marathon Co. Dive Team was also on site to assist.

Anyone who believes they may have located the second body, or anything unusual, should contact the Portage Co. Sheriff’s Office at (715) 346-1400.