Whitefish man killed in boating accident

Bigfork Eagle

A 27-year-old Whitefish man was killed and his wife injured in a boating accident three miles east of Lakeside late on July 4.

A collision occurred on Flathead Lake at 11:30 p.m., following the Lakeside fireworks show that had drawn hundreds of watercraft into Lakeside Bay.

Travis Wickum was in a boat that was struck by another boat, according to Flathead County Deputy Coroner Dorothy Browder.

The coroner's report indicated that Wickum's 17-foot boat was hit by a 19-foot boat, but did not sink.

Wickum was pronounced dead at the scene with "massive trauma" injuries, according to Sheriff Mike Meehan.

Wickum's wife, who has not been identified, was also injured and remains at Kalispell Regional Medical Center.

Wickum's two children, ages 3 and 5, were also in the boat at the time of the accident, but suffered only minor injuries and were released from the hospital on the morning of July 5, according to their mother, Nichole Nielsen, of Polson.

It was still unclear whether the boats were operating with lights on, as required by law.