UPDATE: Weekend marred by motorcyle fatality, apparent drowning; motorcyclist was Trego man

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Pierce County authorities reported early Sunday that a 72-year-old man died Saturday evening in the town of Oak Grove after his motorcycle crashed in a ditch off Hwy. 35 near County Road E. Meanwhile, deputies continue to search the waters of the Mississippi River near Bay City for the body of a 38-year-old man who is believed to have drowned early Saturday evening.

Late Sunday afternoon, the Pierce Sheriff's Department identified the deceased motorcyclist as James Swenson of Trego.

Boating accident

Members of the Pierce County dive team reported to the Bay City boat launch early Sunday to resume a search for the man presumed drowned, who was not identified.

Deputy Mike Vodinelich said in a news release that the man and his wife were boating in Lake Pepin, east of Bay City about 6 p.m. when the woman saw her husband fall overboard. She jumped in an attempt to save him but witnessed him go under water. As their boat drifted away, she was able to swim to shore and walk to a home in Bay City to report the incident.

A Goodhue County water patrol officer located the empty boat about 7:15 p.m. but there was no sign of the drowning victim. The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources was also assisting the Pierce County Sheriff's Department in the search on Saturday.

Motorcycle fatality

At 8:57 p.m., Saturday, Pierce County was advised of a single motorcycle accident near County Road E.

Prescott ambulance and fire personnel, along with a medical helicopter were summoned, but upon the first unit's arrival at the scene, it was apparent the man was dead. The helicopter was subsequently cancelled.

Anyone who may have witnessed the accident is asked to contact investigator Wade Strain at 715-273-5051 to share any information.

More information will be posted when it becomes available.

Tags: area news, news, wisconsin, accidents, outdoors, mississippi