Long-time teacher killed, second person potentially dead in boating accident

: Ben Hillyer/The Natchez Democrat — A pier on the backside of Lake St. John received heavy damage early Saturday morning when a boat slammed into it. The boat, at right, also received heavy damage. The victim in the boat was killed and officials are searching for another possible victim.

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Long-time teacher killed, second person potentially dead in boating accident

Published 11:14am Saturday, June 16, 2012

LAKE ST. JOHN — Officials have confirmed that longtime educator Bruce Pickle, 50, was killed early Saturday morning when his bass boat crashed into a pier on Lake St. John. A second person who may have been in the boat is still missing at this time.

Onlookers who witnessed the crash found Pickle in the water after the crash, which occurred at approximately 12:15 a.m. He was ejected from the boat. The witnesses attempted CPR, but Pickle’s body was later transferred to the Concordia Parish Coroner’s Office.

He was not wearing any type of flotation device.

The missing person is presumed to be Larry Allen, 52, 108 Pinehurst Cove, Pearl.

Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries agents will do routine toxicology tests, but do not suspect alcohol or drugs played a role in this incident at this time.

The accident occurred on the back side of the lake, half a mile from the victim’s house. Both the pier and boat involved in the accident received heavy damage.

The driver of the boat, Pickle, was originally reported to be alone during the accident, but boat crews continued to search until the early morning hours looking for any other possible victims. Hours later, Saturday morning, it was reported that there was possibly another person in the boat with the victim. The search for that person continued all day Saturday.

Concordia Parish Sheriff’s Office spokesperson Capt. David Hedrick said authorities were unsuccessful in locating the body of the second victim, who is now presumed to be a victim of the accident, following a day of dragging the lake floor and sending divers near the site of the accident. A deputy will be on standby through the night and the search will resume Sunday morning.

Officials from the Department of Wildlife and Fisheries and the Concordia Parish Sheriff’s Office worked the accident.

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Anonymous

Good-bye, old friend. May God grant you His Peace and Love for ALL of eternity.
Anonymous

burnley, did you know the victim? If so I’m so sorry for your loss. As the years have passed by with my loss of friends I know how it feels. At my age there’s not many left and sometimes I feel lonely for the ones that have gone ahead of me. We can take consolation in the fact that we will have many friends to welcome us at our parting. We won’t be alone there, will we?
http://www.facebook.com/sonny.champion Sonny Champion

prayers and thoughts to the families involved in this tradegy
Anonymous

Nope. I will be one of those that will be lucky to get into Heaven by “the skin of my teeth”.
There have been a LOT of deaths, recently, of people I know.
The changing of the guards.
Anonymous

My son was traveling to the site with the family of the missing man and a LA Wildlife and Fisheries officer pulled him over, detained him for 20 minutes and gave him a ticket for littering! Officer claimed that a small piece of paper blew out of the back of his truck! I would believe that if there had been in any paper in his truck it would have blown out between Brandon and there! My son told the officer their situation and he still went through with it even though he knew that they were trying to get to the site! Some people are so cold!!
http://profile.yahoo.com/PMA7XQ3LKQDGG2YS3VPOYTZIVE Charles

I am the cousin of the deceased and am the brother of the missing person. I live in Tampa, Florida and am just in complete misery at this point being so far away and nothing I can do but pray.
Anonymous

We are so shocked and deeply saddened. We are praying for the families and hope he will be found soon…
http://profile.yahoo.com/V3BZ2YLL7Y3ZXYZTLRIZW2OOQQ desiree

RIP Coach Pickle!!!!!!!!!!!! All of us high schoolers at Vidalia High will remember you when you taught us at the Junior High!
Anonymous

I extend my sympathies, to you, in the loss of your friend. It is not too late. God’s intention was not for any of His children to spend eternity in hell. He is waiting for each of us with open arms. We just have to, be willing to believe in Him and that He died for our sins, confess our sins, and repent. Romans 3:23 “For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God.” Romans 6:23 “For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.” Romans 10:13 “For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.” We are all sinners and in need of God’s grace and mercy. He can lead us through the most difficult times and bring incredible joy to our lives. I pray that you would seek Him and find a true Christian and church home to help you on your journey.
Anonymous

I am sorry about your cousin and I hope they find your brother. I have known your cousin awhile and thought a lot of him. Your family is in my prayers.
Anonymous

Okay- clarification-
YES- I knew the deceased
Nope-in response to last of post by destinynatchez…”We won’t be alone there, will we?”.
http://twitter.com/RTAZ1326 Roger Allen

They are now moving in some equipment to remove the collapsed pier. Still searching.
http://profile.yahoo.com/PMA7XQ3LKQDGG2YS3VPOYTZIVE Charles

Thank You Roger for the update…..I am so far away and so helpless.
Anonymous

My prayers are with the family. Actually it is part of my own family through marriage. Charles I am so very sorry and my family is praying for all of you. I can understand the pain of living fair away when tragedy strikes your family. I live far away from all of mine and have been in your situation before. May God give you comfort right now. And may God help the searchers find him soon. Again my heart is breaking for all of the family and I will be praying.
http://twitter.com/RTAZ1326 Roger Allen

GO TO LIVESTREAM.COM/KATC
http://twitter.com/RTAZ1326 Roger Allen

WELL, LIVESTREAM IS NOT LIVE!
Anonymous

Is it true that the search has been called off till morning? Sad that they could find one and not the other.
Anonymous

do we know for sure there is still one missing?
http://twitter.com/RTAZ1326 Roger Allen

I have not been called yet. So, the search must be on going.
http://profile.yahoo.com/PMA7XQ3LKQDGG2YS3VPOYTZIVE Charles

yes….they are bringing in equipment to lift the sections of the pier and hut off one section at a time just in case. Will resume at 7am Sunday morning.
Anonymous

Yes we know for sure that there is another man missing, They were talked to by phone a couple hours before accident so we know they were together.
Anonymous

Typical!
http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1270171475 Charlotte Byrd Newcomb

why isn’t it required that all pier have lights on them. I have always wondered why especially for people that do like night fishing?
http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1270171475 Charlotte Byrd Newcomb

so sorry to hear of the loss of Bruce, he and I went to school starting in elementary and played softball years ago, just so sad, we never know when God will call us home…prayers to all the families.
http://profile.yahoo.com/CNEGJEREYHUI5BRK2QOT4GXCNI Big

This is so SAD . Vidalia has lost a AWESOME teacher and a family has lost 2 Awesome people. May god be with you all and wrap his arms around you. Mr. Pickle you will be very missed.
Anonymous

For the same reason that every structure along a road does not have to be lit. The vehicle is responsible for providing the running lights. Do you think that fences, mailboxes and sheds along a road need to be lit too?