Livingston Parish, Louisiana – A fatal boating incident on the Tickfaw River in Livingston Parish in Louisiana has claimed the lives of two individuals and left six others injured. The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries (LDWF) Enforcement Division is currently investigating the circumstances surrounding the collision.
On July 28, at approximately 12:17 a.m., LDWF agents were notified of a two-vessel collision on the Tickfaw River near Kings Point. Upon arrival, agents found a heavily damaged 25-foot pontoon boat and a capsized 25-foot Sea Fox boat.
Thuy Gustin, 31, of Springfield, Louisiana, a passenger on the Sea Fox, was trapped under the capsized vessel. An LDWF agent and a Good Samaritan jumped into the water and recovered Gustin, performing CPR until Acadian Ambulance arrived. Gustin was transported to North Oaks Hospital, where she was pronounced deceased.
The search for Chase Sharkey, 36, of Greensburg, Louisiana, the operator of the pontoon boat, ensued. His body was recovered from the Tickfaw River around 12:45 p.m.
Three individuals from the Sea Fox and three from the pontoon boat were taken to North Oaks Hospital with serious injuries, which are believed to be non-life-threatening.
The LDWF Enforcement Division is leading the investigation into the fatal boating incident. The bodies of the two deceased boaters were turned over to the Livingston Parish Coroner’s Office to determine the official cause of death.
At this time, the cause of the collision remains unknown. Blood was drawn from the operator of the Sea Fox, and it has been reported that none of the passengers on either vessel were wearing personal flotation devices at the time of the incident. The Sea Fox had six people on board, while the pontoon boat had seven.
The investigation is ongoing.