Cops raced the help save the lives of a group of people aboard a boat that started taking on water very early Saturday morning just after 1:00am.
"Sheriff Jerry Larpenter says that... a call was received that a boat was sinking in Lake Boudreaux, in waters south of the Boudreaux Canal. The Terrebonne Parish Sheriff’s Office Water Patrol was dispatched along with a patrol unit. A rescue boat was launched and a search for the vessel began," according to a news release.
Seven of the people were able to get on an island and stay on the phone with 911.
"Two of the nine had separated, from the group, however, and at first their location was not certain."
Deputies with the Water Patrol found the seven people on the island and took them on board a boat.
"A K-9 Division deputy who was on patrol located the two people who had separated, following instructions relayed by dispatchers. Contact was made with them at a camp on La. 56 in Cocodrie."
What were they doing out?
"Deputies determined that the group had headed out on a bowfishing expedition, but that in the waters of Lake Boudreaux a sudden squall came up and the vessel swamped, leading to its sinking. The incident is being investigated by the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries."
Everyone was checked out and did not need medical treatment. “This story had a happy ending, but a different outcome was very possible,” Sheriff Larpenter said. “With school out a lot more people will be on the water. Never pack too many in a boat. Make sure children wear life jackets and if it gets rough put yours on too.”