Kansas man arrested after fishing boat and barge collide

ATCHISON COUNTY – Police are investigating an incident along the Missouri River in Atchison County and have made one arrest.

Shortly after 7 p.m. on Sept. 1, officers responded to a report of a boating accident in the 200 block of River Road in Atchison County, according to Atchison Police Chief Mike Wilson.

The report stated that there was a boating accident involving a small fishing boat traveling south on the river and a barge traveling north. The Atchison Fire Department boat and the Atchison County Rescue Boat were also on the scene.

Two people were found on board the small fishing boat. The boat was piloted by Marvin L. Reese, 50, of Atchison. A passenger on the boat was identified as Chandler A. Reese, 21, of Atchison.

Witnesses reported seeing the fishing boat collide with the front of the barge, with both the boat and the ship's occupants becoming trapped under the barge.

Both men were able to surface and were rescued. A private boater rescued one of the men and the vessel rescued the other. They were not injured, according to Wilson.

Officials with Kansas Wildlife and Parks responded to the scene and investigated the incident. As a result of the investigation, officials sought charges against Marvin Reese for operating a personal watercraft while under the influence of alcohol. Officials located the fishing boat a short distance downstream.