A 7-year-old Sandpoint boy died Sunday after a vintage houseboat capsized on Lake Pend Oreille near Johnson Creek, leaving his family and the broader North Idaho community in mourning following a harrowing rescue that also required resuscitating two other occupants.
William L. Long, a Sandpoint resident, was pronounced dead at a hospital after being airlifted by Life Flight to Kootenai Health following the accident, which occurred August 2. Authorities say the capsizing is still under investigation.
What Happened on the Water
The vessel involved was a 1968 houseboat carrying seven people — three adults and four children — when the incident unfolded. The boat was leaving Johnson Creek and heading west on Lake Pend Oreille when it began listing heavily to the left. The operator attempted to turn back toward the creek, but shortly after that maneuver the boat capsized, trapping occupants inside.
The operator managed to kick open a door to help those trapped escape. William was found unconscious and not breathing. Bystanders began CPR immediately at the scene.
First responders from Clark Fork Fire and Clark Fork Ambulance reached the scene by boat, brought by a Good Samaritan. All seven occupants were transported to the Clark Fork Drift Yard boat launch. William was then airlifted to Kootenai Health, while four others were taken to Bonner General Health either by ground ambulance or private vehicle.
William was pronounced deceased at the hospital. The remaining occupants were listed in stable condition or treated and released.
Among the most alarming moments of the rescue: William’s grandmother Annie and his 5-year-old sister Lydia were initially believed to have drowned. Both were resuscitated. It was William’s 7-year-old cousin who called 911 during the emergency.
Community Rallies Around the Long Family
In the days following the tragedy, the Sandpoint community mobilized to support the Long family. A GoFundMe fundraiser established on the family’s behalf had raised more than $19,000 toward a $30,000 goal at the time of publication. Separately, a meal train organized to help the family drew 77 participants.
The outpouring reflects the way tight-knit communities across Bonner County respond to loss — neighbor helping neighbor in the hardest moments.
Lake Safety Remains a Year-Round Concern
Lake Pend Oreille is one of the deepest and largest freshwater lakes in the western United States, drawing boaters, anglers, and families throughout the summer months. Accidents on the lake, while not routine, are an ongoing concern for local emergency services and underscore the importance of life jacket use, vessel maintenance, and caution when operating older watercraft — particularly boats built decades ago that may not meet modern safety standards.
The Bonner County Sheriff’s Office and other agencies have not yet released a formal determination of what caused the 1968 vessel to list and ultimately capsize. Investigators are expected to examine the condition of the boat along with the circumstances surrounding the maneuver that preceded the capsizing.
The accident comes during an already demanding summer for North Idaho emergency responders, who have also been managing ongoing wildfire threats across the region. Crews and resources have been stretched by fire operations across Bonner and Boundary counties throughout the season.
What Comes Next
The cause of the capsizing remains under active investigation. Authorities have not indicated a timeline for when findings will be released. The Long family continues to receive community support through the GoFundMe and meal train efforts. Anyone wishing to assist the family can search for the fundraiser online.
For the broader Sandpoint and Bonner County community, the loss of William Long is a reminder of how quickly a summer day on the water can turn to tragedy — and of the extraordinary response that North Idaho’s emergency services and neighbors provide when it does.
William was 7 years old.