Two boaters rescued in Avoyelles Parish after boat capsized

SIMMESPORT, La. (KLFY) – Enforcement agents with the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries rescued two boaters in Avoyelles Parish.

LDWF received a call around 4 p.m. on March 11 about a capsized vessel in the Atchafalaya River at Simmesport with two boaters in the water. Corporal Anderson with LDWF and Simmesport Volunteer fireman, Cody Jackson, launched a vessel south of the reported incident. Another off duty LDWF Corporal was fishing in the area and also rushed to the scene.

Corporal Anderson and Corporal Guillory both arrived at the scene about the same time and saw two men on a floating piece of plywood in the river. Each agent pulled a man into their vessels and brought them to the nearest boat launch. The men refused medical care on scene and went home without injury.

According to the rescued boaters, they were on a homemade 20-foot vessel in the Atchafalaya River, without life jackets, when their vessel capsized. A witness on the bank called 911.

“These agents, the volunteer fireman and a good Samaritan all sprang into action and saved the lives of two boaters,” said Col. Rachel Zechenelly. “These two boaters probably wouldn’t have lasted very long considering they weren’t wearing life jackets while also combined with the swiftness and temperature of the water. It took quick reactions from everyone involved to bring these boaters to safety.”

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