Body of missing Prairieville boater recovered in Bayou Manchac

Fitzgerald’s bateau started taking on water in Ascension Parish on April 27, LDWF says

Officials recovered the body of 23-year-old Allen Fitzgerald about 8 this morning after almost a four-day search, according to a press release from the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries.

According to a passenger in the boat on the night of the mishap, the two men were in a 12-foot bateau with a 6 hp engine when the vessel started taking on water the night of April 27.

They were traveling on Bayou Manchac about 3 to 4 miles upstream from the Amite River when the incident occurred, the release states.

The passenger, who was able to jump into the water before the boat sank, made it to shore and located a house where he called 911.

The passenger stated neither man was wearing a personal flotation device when the incident occurred.