3 dead after boat overturns on Mississippi River at Bellevue

Officials said three people died yesterday when their boat capsized on the Mississippi River at Bellevue. The names of the deceased are not being released that this time pending notification of their families, according to a press release from the Iowa Department of Natural Resources.  The incident happened at about 11 a.m. yesterday near Lock and Dam No. 12 at Bellevue. The release states that three people were fishing from a boat in a restricted area “directly beneath the dam” when their boat capsized.  Preliminary reports indicate that the boat was pulled into the hazardous waters below the dam due to a strong black flow current created by the dam’s operation. The three men were pulled out of the water and taken to shore, and emergency responders performed lifesaving measures. Two of the boat’s occupants were confirmed dead at the scene. Another was taken by ambulance to MercyOne Dubuque Medical Center and later was pronounced dead, the release states. The incident remains under investigation.