LDWF investigates fatal boating accident on the Pearl River in St. Tammany Parish

Search and rescue teams still searching for missing woman; three children safe after boat capsizes

Search and rescue teams are still looking for a missing Folsom woman following a boating accident Saturday in the Pearl River that killed a 41-year-old man, according to the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries.

About 5:30 Saturday, the St. Tammany Parish Sheriff’s Office received a call about a capsized 14-foot aluminum boat near Lock No. 3 on the Pearl River. According to a press release, the boat was occupied by the operator, Terry J. Okeefe Jr., a female passenger named Jonie R. Morgan, 31, and her three children: an 8-year-old boy, a 6-year-old boy and a 4-year-old girl.

Agents believe the vessel capsized after going over the lock after O’Keefe was unable to start the boat, the release states.

A 16-year-old boy came upon the incident, and saw the two boys with Morgan in the water. But on his way to help, his boat also capsized. From the water, the 16-year-old grabbed the two boys and Morgan, but her shirt ripped off and she did not resurface. A fisherman on the bank safely got all three boys to shore, according to the release.

Search and rescue teams found the 4-year-old girl safe under the capsized vessel. She apparently was under the boat for about 30 minutes, but was able to breathe in the air pocket under the boat, the release states.

O’Keefe’s body was found Sunday morning about 8, and the search continues for Morgan, the release states.

All three children were wearing personal flotation devices, but officials don’t believe O’Keefe or Morgan had on PFDs, according to the release.