On 6/3/11 at approximately 5:45 p.m., Operator and Occupant were fishing in the Southwestern Canal located in Leeville. Operator was experiencing motor trouble, so he attempted to tie his vessel, LA3051BH, to a piling in the canal. At this time, Operator fell overboard into the swift current of the Southwestern Canal.  Occupant quickly threw Operator a PFD, which Operator attempted to put on. subject was unable to pursue Operator due to the fact that the engine would not crank and she was unaware of how to use the trolling motor. 

At approximately 6:45 p.m. subject2 and his father noticed a PFD in the water and turned around. They then saw a body attached to the PFD, and quickly called 911.  Officers from the Lafourche Parish SO as well as Harbor Patrol responded quickly and retrieved Operator, who was indeed wearing a PFD.  The PFD was not properly fastened causing the PFD to come off of Operator while the officers were attempting to pull him into their vessel. Sgt. was notified of the accident at approximately 8:00 p.m. and arrived at the scene at approximately 8:45 p.m.  Sgt. inspected the vessel and found no evidence of any alcohol and/or drugs in the vessel. The vessel, LA3051BH, contained 3 type 3 PFDs and the steering on the vessel was in good working order, constructed of a wheel and teleflex steering cable On 6/5/11, Sgt. was contacted by the Laourche DO, and advised that Operator expired from a massive heart attack.  The coroner also Sgt. that here was very little water in Operator's lungs.

Leeville                      