Father of missing man in Kennewick boating accident says he was “full of life”

Search and rescue teams are out on the Columbia River searching for a 34-year-old western Washington man who was thrown from a boat.

Franklin County Sheriff Deputies say the 34-year-old man was on the boat when it hit a log and threw three people overboard Sunday evening. Two people were able to make it to shore but Brandon did not resurface.

Surrounded by family at the park Monday, Gerry Martin, Brandon's father, says they drove in from Mukilteo near Everett to come recover their son's body. He says their boy was living in the Tri-Cities to get away from the city and worked at his uncle and aunt's constriction company. He says his boy was on the boat with his aunt and uncle and two cousins when the crash occurred.

Gerry says waiting for officials to recover his son's body is the "roughest thing" he has ever done in his life, but he says they have some solace knowing he was a Christian.

"He's a loving kid, so full of life, if you wanted to meet a momma's boy that kid, he loved his momma, on fire, loved the Lord and everybody's friend," says Martin.

He says they are holding strong with their faith, after losing their second son, he says they are also leaning on family and friends. Gerry says finding his son's body will help bring closure to him and his family.

"The best thing about Brandon is his love of life and what he cared for his family, all of us, he will be sorely missed, it hurts, he'll never be replaced," says Martin.

Deputies say search and rescue efforts will continue with the Columbia Basin Dive team and Pasco Fire Department. They do believe alcohol could have been a factor in the crash.