Boats in fatal crash were shuttling partiers

UPDATE: Authorities say the late night Mississippi River boat crash that left four people dead was a near head-on collision of two small fishing boats that were shuttling partiers to shore.

Des Moines County Sheriff Mike Johnstone said Monday those involved had been partying on an island and the boats were shuttling people to a boat dock around 2 a.m. Saturday. One newer boat had dropped people off and was returning for more when it hit an older boat with 11 passengers, who were thrown into the water. All but four were pulled from the water and taken to shore in the newer boat.

Dead are 22-year-old Jacob Boyd, 21-year-old Matthew House, 21-year-old Blake Eakins and 20-year-old Caitlyn Atchley. The Iowa Department of Natural Resources says the four bodies were found Sunday within 100 yards of the crash site.

Officials say no one was wearing a life vest.

Johnstone said it's too early to say whether alcohol was a cause.