SANDPOINT — A 7-year-old passed away Sunday after the houseboat that he and family members were in began tilting heavily to one side before capsizing.

The youth was identified by BCSO and family members as William L. Long of Sandpoint.

BCSO officials said the accident happened when the 1968 houseboat was headed west out of Johnson Creek into Lake Pend Oreille with three adults and four children on board.

The vessel began to list heavily to the left, prompting the operator to turn around in an effort to return to Johnson Creek where the wind and water conditions were less severe. Shortly afterward, the boat capsized, trapping the occupants inside before the operator was able to kick a door open and assist others from the vessel.

An adult and two children appeared to suffer significant injuries, including the 7-year-old who was located unconscious and not breathing. CPR was initiated until first responders from Clark Fork Fire and Clark Fork Ambulance arrived at the scene via a Good Samaritan's boat.

All occupants from the houseboat were transported to the Clark Fork Drift Yard boat launch, where the 7-year-old was flown to Kootenai Health via Life Flight. Four others were transported to Bonner General Health via ground ambulance or private vehicle, BCSO officials said.

Despite life-saving efforts, the 7-year-old was pronounced deceased at the hospital. The remaining occupants of the houseboat either remain in stable condition or were treated and released.

The cause of the accident remains under investigation.

Relatives have created a GoFundMe page for the youth's family with proceeds to support the family of William Long, the 7-year-old boy who lost his life after a structural failure caused a houseboat to capsize.  

Donations will go toward funeral and memorial expenses, counseling and therapy for his surviving siblings and mother, and to help with paying bills for William’s immediate and extended family who witnessed and were a part of the incident.  

“On what was supposed to be a joyful family day on the water, tragedy struck in an instant. A catastrophic structural failure caused the boat carrying three generations of William Long's family to capsize, forever changing their lives,” according to a post on the GoFundMe page written by William’s uncle Dustin Dempsey. “In a matter of moments, nearly every member of William's immediate family found themselves fighting for their own lives or trying desperately to save someone they loved.” 

The crowdfunding site indicates that two boats were on the water when the boat carrying William and his family experienced a structural failure, resulting in the accident.  

When William’s 7-year-old cousin was able to call 911, family members had believed that his grandmother, Annie, and 5-year-old sister Lydia had also drowned. After multiple life-saving measures were taken, the two were resuscitated, according to the page.  

“If all you can do is read William's story, pray for his family, and share this fundraiser, please do. William, a strong, smart, caring, God-loving 7-year-old, lost his life in the accident. He was an admirable son, an exemplary big brother, a loving little brother, a best-friend cousin, a playful nephew, and a friend to all he met,” wrote Dempsey.  

At the time of publishing, GoFundMe raised $19,247 of its $30,000 goal. A meal train has also been set in place for the Long family with 77 total participants. Residents can read more and donate at gofund.me/f59843956 and mealtrain.com/trains/e0qk2y.

Bonner County Sheriff’s Office, Bonner County EMS, Clark Fork Ambulance, Clark Fork Fire Department, Idaho State Patrol and LifeFlight all responded to the incident.  Also assisting were the Ponderay Police Department, Sam Own Fire Department, and several Good Samaritans.   The Long family all gathered together for a picture.