On March 19, 2023 at approximately 1421 the Lauderdale Sheriffs Department received a call about a boat accident on the Mississippi River.  I received a call from the Sheriffs Departement after the had talked with Operator.  I was informed about the situation and given his contact infromation.  I called and talked to him to get an account of what had happened.  Operator stated that he was heading downstream when his vessel struck an object that broke the motor off of the vessel.  He stated that he was not able to hold onto the motor any longer and let it go.  He said that the motor was a 40hp tiller handle.  After losing the motor he stated that he floated downstream around a 1/4 mile and the wind was pushing him towards the bank.  The vessel got to around 40 yards from the bank and then it began moving away.  He infromed me that he jumped into the river and made his way to the bank.  Once out he walked to his truck.  He stated that he had contacted the insuracne company and that the vessel was insured by Insurance in Alamo, TN.

Per statement written by Operator:

Put my boat in at Ed Jones boat ramp to look for turkey.  Traveled roughly 3 miles up river, then came back down.  Passed the ramp and hit something that made my motor come off the boat.  I then exited the boat and went to shore.  I tried to pull the boat with me by the rope and hold my shotgun but was unable, let go of the boat and gun and went to shore.  Called the Crockett County Rescue Squad and they notified the surrounding departments.  Walked back to my truck, warmed up, and went home.  Happened on March 19 around 1pm.  No one else was in the boat with me.  I roughly went 500yds in the boat after I hit the object before I exited the boat.  Recovered on March 31st by riverboat captain in Osceola.  My son picked up April 6th and brought home. *** This is an Investigator Supplemental Report:

Added the following data to the report:
River mile based on the GPS coordinates
Weather based on WeatherUnderground for MKL
Linked operator/owner to vessel
Changed from owner/operator to operator for BARD upload.
Added 40hp to vessel based on operator statement
Added $4000 damage due to lost 40hp outboard (estimated $100/HP)

It is believed that operator stuck a submerged object however that accident type is not available.  Listed "Collision with Floating Object" for BARD.

Boating Investigator
MISSISSIPPI RIVER
HALLS                         