Gainesville, MO. – The identities of the three men involved in the Friday morning boat accident near the Tecumseh bridge have been released by the Missouri State Highway Patrol. Shannon Newton, 38 of Dora, was the only survivor of the incident. Michael L. Dunlap, 32 of Norwood, and Robert D. Smith, 60 of Drury, drowned after the boat they were in capsized at 3:30 a.m. on Friday, March 25. According to the Patrols report, none of the individuals had been wearing life jackets.
The jon boat the three men were in struck a log extending from the bank into the river, causing the vessel to overturn. Multiple law enforcement agencies and fire departments responded to assist in locating the men when the 9-1-1 call came in at 8:19 a.m. Friday morning.
The body of Michael Dunlap was discovered at 5:30 p.m. Friday night, the body of Robert Smith was found at 11:48 a.m. on Saturday, March 26.
Members of the Ozark County Sheriff’s Office, Missouri State Highway Patrol Troop G, Gainesville Fire, Tecumseh Fire, Caney Mountain Fire, Lick Creek Fire, Pontiac Fire, Dora Fire, Bakersfield Fire, and the Army Corps of Engineers and Missouri Department of Conservation assisted in the search. Many local businesses and organizations provided relief to those searching in the way of food, water, and supplies.
