The vessel passenger stated that he and subject were fishing with a cast net below the Seldon Dam on the Black Warrior River, when the boat they were in began to drift into one of the spillways. Occupant stated that the water flowing from the spillway threw them from the boat and that he was able to swim to the East Bank of the River (Hale County Side). Occupant stated that he last observed  Operator (vessel operator) floating about 70 yards from the Dam, in the middle of the River. Occupant stated that he made his way back to the Lock 7 Boat Launch (Greene Co. Side), by climbing up the bank and walking across the Dam. Occupant stated a couple, (man and woman) called Greene Co. 911 for him and that the man drove his boat out to the scene of the accident to look for Operator, but to avail. Emergency personnel responded and searched for Operator until dark, 8:15 PM. The search was resumed the following morning, at which time the Tuscaloosa Sheriff's' Office Dive Team arrived. After the dive team was shown the last known location of Operator they began their underwater search. After approximately 17 minutes of searching, the dive team located Operator and brought him  to the surface and then onto their boat. MPO contacted Operator's wife, who was standing on the bank of the river with family and friends and notified her of the discovery. Operator's body was transported to the Lock 7 Boat Launch where it was turned over to the Greene County Coroner. The search was discontinued and officers returned to their normal assignments. It was noted that neither Occupant (passanger) nor Operator (operator) were wearing Personal Flotation Devices at the time of the accident and when located, Operator was still attached to the cast net he was using at the time of the accident. Operator's boat was completely destroyed and Occupant was treated and released at the Greene County Emergency Room in Eutaw.
Eutaw