On May 6, 2023 at approximately 1:13pm, LDWF Corporal 1 was notified by member of the Chauvin Fire Department of a person getting struck by lightning and was ejected into the water at N 29° 24.509 W 90° 30.819. At 1:30pm, Cpl. 1 arrived at the Isle de Jean Charles boat launch were EMS personnel were already on scene tending to the victim. Passenger, who was struck by lightning, was transported to University Medical Center with injuries considered to be life threatening. According to the operator, Passenger was attempting to deploy a marsh anchor rod off the bow of when he was struck by a lightning bolt causing him to fall overboard. Operator was able to get Passenger back into the vessel and called 911. Operator then transported Passenger to the nearest boat launch, the Isle de Jean Charles boat launch, to meet up with EMS. As of 7:30pm, Passenger is considered to be in stable condition and expected to be released from University Medical Center on 05/07/23.
        Alcohol and/or drugs are not believed to be a contributing factor in this incident as no signs of impairment were detected. Vessel is a 2013 16' Allweld aluminum hull equipped with a 40hp Pro-Drive tiller steered outboard. The vessel was equipped with all of the required safety equipment, including 2 TType III PFD's and 1 Type IV PFD. The preliminary investigation reveals weather to be the lone contributing factor in this falls overboard (lightning strike) incident.
Wonder Lake
Montegut                      