By Brent Hardin

BEAVER LAKE – Cass County Sheriff's Office authorities released the identity of a Papillion man who was killed in a boating accident at Beaver Lake Monday night.

Rescue diving teams are continuing to search for the body of 23-year-old Ammon J. Witters in Beaver Lake. Murray Fire and Rescue, Plattsmouth Fire and Rescue, Cass County deputies and Nebraska Game and Parks wardens from Nebraska City and Louisville all responded to the scene Monday night and searched for Witters until midnight. An Omaha Police Department helicopter and the Yutan and Lewis Township dive teams also arrived for the recovery effort.

Authorities resumed their search at 9 a.m. Tuesday. The Associated Press reported early Tuesday night that divers are focusing their efforts on a small cove near the lake's edge. Cass County authorities said recovery operations will continue in Beaver Lake until divers are able to locate Witters.

Cass County authorities said Tuesday night that the boat Witters was riding in was pulling a wakeboarder. The boat's operator, 32-year-old Lonnie J. Hoschar of Plattsmouth, turned to the north when the wakeboarder fell off the board at 8 p.m. Witters was sitting on the edge of the boat, lost his balance during the turn and fell overboard.

Witnesses said they heard a bump from under the boat after Witters fell off. He never returned to the lake's surface.

Authorities tested Hoschar and found that he had no alcohol in his system and showed no signs of impairment. Officers cited one passenger in the boat for possession of marijuana less than one ounce and possession of drug paraphernalia. Bellevue resident Thomas W. Weir, 21, was cited after officers located the objects in his property on the boat.