BATON ROUGE, La. (WAFB) - Tragedy struck on the Tickfaw River in Livingston Parish as a boat crash resulted in the deaths of two individuals. The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries (LDWF) has launched an investigation into the fatal incident that occurred just after midnight on Sunday, July 28.
The collision involved a 25-foot pontoon boat and a 25-foot Sea Fox boat near Kings Point. Upon arriving at the scene, LDWF agents found the pontoon boat significantly damaged and the Sea Fox capsized.
A 27-year-old female passenger on the Sea Fox was trapped under the overturned boat. A quick-thinking LDWF agent, assisted by a Good Samaritan, jumped into the river to rescue her. Despite their efforts to perform CPR, the woman was pronounced dead after being transported to North Oaks Hospital. Her identity remains undisclosed.
The search for a 35-year-old man who was operating the pontoon boat continued through the night and into the early afternoon. His body was eventually recovered at around 12:45 p.m. Friends who had gathered near the river awaiting updates revealed that he was a father of four. His identity has also not been released.
In addition to the fatalities, six other individuals sustained serious injuries in the crash. Three people from each boat were taken to North Oaks Hospital. Fortunately, their injuries are believed to be non-life-threatening, and they are expected to survive.
The bodies of the deceased were handed over to the Livingston Parish Coroner’s Office for official determination of the causes of death. Meanwhile, LDWF agents drew blood from the operator of the Sea Fox as part of the investigation, although the exact cause of the crash remains unknown at this time.
LDWF reported that the Sea Fox was carrying six people, while the pontoon boat had seven on board. A critical point of concern noted by the authorities was that none of the individuals involved were wearing life jackets at the time of the collision, which could have potentially mitigated the severity of the incident.
The Livingston Parish Sheriff’s Office and the Springfield Fire Department collaborated with LDWF in the search and rescue efforts. This tragic event underscores the importance of boating safety and the use of life jackets, especially in crowded waterways like the Tickfaw River. As the investigation continues, LDWF emphasizes adherence to safety protocols to prevent future tragedies.
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