Police identify fishermen killed in Louisiana boating accident www.privateofficer.com
Posted by privateofficernews on May 22, 2009
HOUMA, La. May 22 2009
— Five men who planned to take part in a weekend fishing tournament died when their 24-foot aluminum boat ran under one end of a barge, Louisiana officials said. Three were from the Houston area.
Department of Wildlife and Fisheries Capt. Samuel Martin said the boat hit the moored barge late Wednesday but wasn’t discovered until Thursday morning. He said the men apparently hit their heads on the barge’s slanting underside.
A worker spotted the accident scene Thursday morning when he saw one of the victim’s bodies on the barge
The victims have been identified as: Rene J. Gauthier, 59, from Houston; Lawrence H. Flak, 54, of Conroe; William Voss, 49, of Katy; Michael J. Carrere, 43, of the Bayou Blue area of Louisiana; and Carey J. Meche, 52, of Metarie, La.
The men were last seen leaving Dulac around 10 p.m. Wednesday night.
Investigators said the barge had some lights on it, but they are investigating to determine how many.
The crash happened about 60 miles southwest of New Orleans on the Falgout Canal between Theriot and Dulac . The barge was being used by a crew stabilizing the bank.
Ernie Bennett, who is on the board of the Houma Oilman’s Invitational Fishing Tournament, said the men were among about 3,000 entered in the contest that began Friday.
