Sioux Falls man dies in boating accident on Lake Oahe

PIERRE, S.D. (DRG News) – A Sioux Falls man has died after a boating incident over the weekend on Lake Oahe at Pierre/Fort Pierre.

Hughes County sheriff Darin Johnson says first responders located Loyal Lee Bossert’s wallet in his pickup at the West Shore boat ramp. Johnson says it appears Bossert, 49, accidentally fell out of the boat and was fatally injured by the boat’s propeller.

Bossert was the only occupant of the boat. Alcohol was not a factor. His death has been ruled accidental.

Pierre Volunteer Fire Department assistant chief Paula Tronvold says their Rescue Squad and Dive Team were dispatched about 10:30 a.m. Saturday to a report of an unoccupied boat circling in the water about one mile from the Peoria Flats boat ramp north of Pierre/Fort Pierre.

Tronvold says Lake Oahe is a huge lake, which makes search and rescue even more challenging.

Tronvold also recommends using a strategy often associated with winter driving– let someone know where you are and when you plan to be back.

The incident remains under investigation by the Hughes County Sheriff’s Office.