18-Year-Old Drowns After Boat Capsizes In Lancaster Pond

LANCASTER (CBS) -- The father of 18 year old Michael Thao fights back tears. His son drowned early Sunday morning while fishing with his uncle in Fort Pond in Lancaster.

"Today is the first time he never came home. My son very friendly he gets along with everybody," Yang Thao said.

Police say the two were out fishing around 4:30 this morning. For some reason the canoe capsized.

"We believe there was alcohol involved. Whether that or not that mitigated the accident itself we are unsure," Lancaster Police Sgt. Everett Moody said.

Police say both men could swim but neither was wearing a life jacket.  Thao's uncle managed to swim to shore then ran for help. He broke into a nearby house smashing in the door.

"After the investigation we realized that was one of the victims falling in the water just trying to reach a phone," Moody said.

Home owner Brian Hoffman said the woman inside the house called 911.

"To have someone break in and run up the stairs must have been terrifying for her," Hoffman said.

Two hours later the Lancaster Fire Department and dive team recovered Thao's body.  The family says fishing was Thao's passion.

"He was just crazy about fishing. I took him to Pro Bass Shop when he was young and he spent $500 dollars to buy fishing stuff. I just want people to know he was very bright and get along with everybody and we miss him dearly," Yang said.

WBZ NewsRadio 1030's Lana Jones reports