Three Colcord Teens Return to Oklahoma

<b><small>Three Colcord, Oklahoma teenagers arrived at Tulsa International Airport and were greeted by family and friends. It was a bittersweet welcome home for the trio. Photo courtesy: KOTV - The

Thursday, March 23rd 2000, 12:00 am

By: News On 6

Three Colcord, Oklahoma teenagers arrived at Tulsa International Airport and were greeted by family and friends. It was a bittersweet welcome home for the trio. Photo courtesy: KOTV - The News on Six

Three teenagers from Colcord returned to Oklahoma Wednesday night to the cheers from family and friends. But for Jamie Mitchell, Cecil Sixkiller and John Blackfox, there is little to cheer about.

The boys went on a spring break fishing trip to California. Early Tuesday morning, the houseboat they were sleeping on caught on fire in the Sacramento River Delta.

"I remember getting kicked, waking up and the boat was on fire," recalled Mitchell. "I tried to put it out, but it was no use. It was way too hot, so I just ran out to the side door. When I did, it was all on fire already. In a matter of minutes it was all on fire."

All eight people on board jumped to safety. "We tried to swim to the island, but it was no use," Washington said. "Because the island just kept getting further and further away from us."

Exhausted after more than 30 minutes in the chilly water, they were about to give up when help arrived. "It was me, James and C-J all floating, and a fisherman pulled us out of the water," Blackfox said.

Five people in all were rescued. Three people are still missing, including the boys friend 15-year-old Keith Washington.

"We're just glad to have our boys home," said Vivian Lynn. "Our hearts and prayers go out to the Washington family. We wish Keith was coming home with us, too."

Along with Washington, the two other people still missing are Wilburn and Barbara Thompson of Turlock, California.

Searchers have found the houseboat, but have suspended the search for the victims. Divers had planned to return to the wreck site Thursday to see if there are bodies inside the wreckage. However, conditions were still unfavorable and search operations were suspended.

Two other survivors from Colcord, James Payton and his father, Elmer Payton ,were still in California on Thursday. The elder Payton is recovering from burns he suffered during his escape from the burning boat.

The cause of the fire is still unknown.

Photo Caption: Jamie Mitchell, one of the three teenagers returning to Colcord stops to talk with The News on Six in an exclusive interview seen only on KOTV.
Photo courtesy: KOTV - The News on Six