Parish deputies recover fisherman’s body

Published 12:01 am Wednesday, July 6, 2011

ViDALIA — A fisherman’s body was found near the Old River Control Structure in southern Concordia Parish at approximately 1:30 a.m. Tuesday.

A log apparently struck Ewell Nelson Henderson’s aluminum boat late Friday evening, according to a Concordia Parish Sheriff’s Office news release. Henderson, 44, of Pointe Coupee Parish, La., had been fishing with his wife and two sons.

It appeared that the family began paddling the boat, but the current began sucking it underwater, Concordia Parish Deputy Patrick Cavin said. The boat then struck the control structure gates and stood up on its end.

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Henderson’s older son climbed onto the control structure’s gates while the younger boy swam to the riverbank, the release states. The boys’ mother was rescued from the area near the gates.

Henderson was not able to get to safety.

The Concordia Parish Sheriff’s Office, the Pointe Coupee Parish Sheriff’s Office, Louisiana Wildlife and Fisheries, along with other agencies, coordinated the search, rescue and recovery operation, according to the release.