Authorities have identified the two men who died in a boating accident on the Mississippi River near Dubuque, Iowa, on Saturday afternoon.

Wayne Ameskamp, 62, of Dyersville, and Michael Donahue, 61, of Bellevue, drowned after the 16-foot fishing boat they were occupying struck a floating or submerged object. The incident occurred around 3 p.m. on October 3, 2026, in Molo Slough within Pool 12 of the river, near Massey Marina.

Three people were aboard the vessel when it hit the object and all were thrown into the water. A third occupant, Sharon Ameskamp, 62, also of Dyersville, swam to the east shore of the slough. Passing boaters rescued her.

Iowa Department of Natural Resources conservation officers led the response, assisted by the Dubuque County Sheriff’s Office, Key West Fire Department, East Dubuque Fire Department, and a Dubuque County conservation ranger. The two men were recovered and pronounced dead at the scene.

The Iowa DNR continues to investigate the circumstances of the crash. No further details on the exact nature of the object struck or other contributing factors have been released.