Livingston Parish, LA (July 28, 2024) – The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries (LDWF) enforcement agents are investigating a tragic fatal boating incident that occurred on the Tickfaw River in Livingston Parish on July 28, 2024.
At around 12:17 a.m., LDWF agents received alerts about a collision between two vessels on the Tickfaw River near Kings Point. Upon arriving at the scene, agents found a heavily damaged 25-foot pontoon boat and a capsized 25-foot Sea Fox boat.
Reports indicated that a 27-year-old female passenger on the Sea Fox was trapped under the capsized vessel. An LDWF agent and a Good Samaritan jumped into the water and successfully recovered the female. They performed CPR until an ambulance arrived, but despite their efforts, she was pronounced dead at the hospital.
Authorities then began searching for a 36-year-old male, the pontoon boat operator. They recovered his body from the Tickfaw River around 12:45 p.m. on July 28.
Emergency responders transported three Sea Fox passengers and three pontoon boat passengers to North Oaks Hospital. The injuries were serious but non-life-threatening.
The LDWF Enforcement Division leads the investigation into the fatal boating incident on the Tickfaw River. They are assisted by the Livingston Parish Sheriff’s Office and the Springfield Fire Department.
They handed over the bodies of the deceased to the Livingston Parish Coroner’s Office to determine the official cause of death.
Authorities have not yet determined the cause of the collision. They took blood samples from the operator of the Sea Fox for analysis. None of the occupants on either vessel were wearing personal flotation devices at the time of the incident.
Officials will release the identities of the deceased once they notify the next of kin.
This tragic incident underscores the importance of boating safety and the use of personal flotation devices. The LDWF continues to investigate the circumstances surrounding the collision.
