Family swims to shore, is rescued after boat capsizes on Pyramid Lake

The Porter family was reported missing early Monday when William Porter failed to show up for his job and his employer called authorities, said Washoe County Sheriff's Deputy Scott Shields.

Authorities said the family had taken their new, 14-foot aluminum boat out on the lake Sunday and became caught in an afternoon thunderstorm.

While trying to reach the west side of the lake, the open-hull boat ran out of gas. The boat then capsized when it was swamped by a wave.

William Porter, his wife, Jamie, and their four children, ages 13, 9, 6 and 5, were all wearing life preservers and stayed in the water throughout the night with the boat, Shields said.

At daybreak, they swam with the boat to Anderson Bay, where they were spotted by a search and rescue airplane and later picked up by Pyramid Lake rangers.

All were reported in good condition despite their ordeal.

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