NEAR HARRISONVILLE, Mo. — The search resumes Tuesday for a missing teenager whose boat capsized Sunday when he was out with two friends on Big Creek near Harrisonville, Mo.
Brian VanMeter, 18, from Kingsville, Mo., was with two other teens in the boat when it hit something and took on water, forcing them into the water. It happened at about 6 p.m. on Sunday. VanMeter’s two friends made it out, but VanMeter remained missing.
No one was wearing a life jacket, Chief Miller said.
Friends said Brian was not a good swimmer.
“If he’s out there, God please be with him. Please keep him safe,” said Brandon Brown, one of Brian’s friends.
“We’re still searching and walking the river at this time,” said Fire Chief David Miller.
The area is located outside of Harrisonville, Mo. Friends say VanMeter was a hard-worker who helped run his family’s farm.
“It’s terrible. I want the family to know that even though we don`t know them, that our family is praying for them and lots of other families that they don`t know are too,” said Lori Kresse.
More than 50 searchers are expected back at the scene on Tuesday morning. Crews say the recent rainfall is not helping search efforts because of debris flooding the river and banks.