On December 16th, 2023, a call was received from ALEA Decatur Dispatch at 8:22am regarding a potential drowning that had occurred in North Sauty Creek in Jackson County near the Goose Pond Colony Boat Ramp. 

Once on scene V1 was located partially submerged, south of a duck blind near Camp Maranatha. The victim was duck hunting utilizing a kayak (V1). 

V1 was defective due to a crack in the hull and began taking on water which began making V1 unstable. V1 overturned causing the victim to fall overboard. The victim was not wearing a PFD when he entered the water, nor was there a PFD in V1 according to the witness who was hunting with the victim. Once in the water the witness stated that the victim re-surfaced four times and was attempting to remove his chest waders and other articles of clothing. The victim went under after the fourth time and did not re-surface.

Guntersville Lake
Scottsboro, Alabama           