x
Breaking News
More () »

Body of missing boater found after accident near marina

“As law enforcement, we preach that life jackets save lives,” said a spokesman for the department. It’s likely if he was wearing a life jacket, it wouldn’t have been a recovery, it would have been a rescue.”

HOPEDALE, La. — The body of a man who apparently went overboard when a small boat went out of control near the Hopedale Marina was found Thursday.

According to the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries, three people were on the boat for a fishing trip around 6:30 a.m. but visibility was poor. The driver of the boat made a sharp turn to avoid running into the bank, but as a result, the driver and 70-year-old Freddie Dufrene was ejected from the boat. 

Another occupant of the boat was able to get control and get the operator from the water. 

The men ejected from the boat were not wearing flotation devices at the time of the incident, according to the department. 

“As law enforcement, we preach that life jackets save lives,” said a spokesman for the department. It’s likely if he was wearing a life jacket, it wouldn’t have been a recovery, it would have been a rescue.”

Before You Leave, Check This Out