Man dies, another possibly missing in Lake St. John accident

Bass-boat driver not ewearing PFD at time of accident, LDWF says

A 50-year-old man was killed early this morning (June 16) in a boating accident on Lake St. John, while another man was reported missing in the same wreck, the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries reported.

Bruce Pickle's body was pulled form the water after onlookers witnessed him crash his bass boat into a pier about 12:15 a.m., the LDWF said.

Pickle was ejected from the boat and was recovered by the witnesses, who attempted CPR on him before authorities arrived, the agency reported.

Pickle’s body was transferred to the Concordia Parish Coroner’s Office. LDWF agents pullrf a blood sample for a toxicology report, but do not suspect alcohol or drugs played a role in this incident at this time.

LDWF agents later received a call about the possibility of another person still under the water at the wreck scene at the pier.  The call has led authorities to believe there may have been a passenger with Pickle at the time of the wreck.

LDWF agents, along with the Concordia Parish Sheriff’s Office, have begun searching for this possible missing boater.

Click here to read about the outcome of that search.

Pickle was not wearing a personal flotation device. His cause of death is unknown at this time.