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PRIEST RIVER — Three people remain missing after their boat capsized Tuesday on the Pend Oreille River near Thama.

The body of a fourth person was recovered Wednesday morning near where the boat capsized, Bonner County Sheriff's Office officials said. 

The search for the missing boaters was suspended at 8 p.m., but efforts were expected to resume first thing Thursday morning, BCSO Undersheriff Ror Lakewold said.

BCSO marine units and the sheriff's office dive team responded to a report that a performance-style boat had capsized around 7 p.m. Tuesday evening with four people on board. 

Lakewold said a combination of county and local law enforcement with at least five boats involved searched throughout the day Wednesday in search of the missing boaters. In addition, an Idaho Fish and Game vessel responded and searched the shoreline.

A Kootenai County Sheriff’s Office marine vessel, outfitted with sonar, is assisting in the search. Officials said the sheriff's office has requested additional resources from the state to assist in the search.

BCSO officials said the Pend Oreille River at the location of the accident is approximately 94 feet deep. The Thama area is about 2 miles from Priest River and about 16 miles from Sandpoint.

While crews were not able to recover it on Tuesday night, they were able to pull the capsized vessel, a 34-foot MTI performance-style boat, from the river on Wednesday afternoon. 

An investigation into the cause of the accident is underway, BCSO officials said. The names and ages of the occupants will not be released until next of kin have been notified.

While conditions on the river in the area are relatively calm, Lakewold said there is a slight current in the area. He did not know what role, if any, that played in the accident.