Search and rescue crews are currently looking for a missing boater on Bayou Manchac in Ascension Parish.
The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries (LDWF) Enforcement Division along with the Ascension Parish Sheriff’s Office and the St. Amant Fire Department began searching for Allen Fitzgerald, 23, of Prairieville, last night, April 27, around 10 p.m.
According to the passenger in the front of the boat the two men were out boating in a 12-foot bateau with a six horsepower engine. They were travelling on Bayou Manchac about three to four miles upstream from the Amite River when they began taking on water.
The passenger in the front of the boat was able to jump in the water before the boat sank. Fitzgerald was in the back of the boat when it was taking on water and it is unknown at this time of his location. The passenger was able to make it to shore and to a house where he called 911 for help.
LDWF will be the lead investigative agency for this boating incident. According to the passenger neither of the men was wearing a personal flotation device.
The search crews looked for Fitzgerald till 3 a.m. and resumed the search at daylight this morning.