Deceased boater found at Alton Baker Park

SPRINGFIELD, Ore. -- A man was found dead inside of his boat near Alton Baker park along the shore of the Willamette river, the Springfield Police Department said.

SPD responded to a water rescue call on the Willamette at 10 a.m. Saturday near the eastern corner of Alton Baker park accessed from Aspen Street. Rescue boats from SPD and the Lane County Search and Rescue team went out in search of the man.

They found him inside of his pontoon watercraft that was hung up on the side of the Willamette river.

Witnesses told KVAL that they have seen the man fishing along the river on weekends, and the man said he wasn't feeling well when talking to the witnesses earlier in the day.

Officers from SPD said that the man suffered a heart attack, but the medical examiner is leading an investigation into what caused the man's death.