Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries (LDWF) are investigating a fatal boating incident that occurred in Jefferson Davis Parish on June 8.
The body of Danny Harrison, 71, of Lake Charles, was turned over to the Jefferson Davis Parish Coroner’s Office following a fatal boating incident.
Agents received a call around 8:30 p.m. about a boater that was fatally struck by an engine prop while he was in the water.
Agents responded to the scene and learned that Harrison was operating a 16 foot vessel with a 40 horsepower hand tiller outboard motor when he hit an object in the water and was ejected from the vessel. The unmanned vessel then ran in circles when it struck Harrison in the water.
The LDWF Enforcement Division will be the lead investigative agency for this fatal boating incident. Harrison was wearing a personal flotation device, but the evidence collected to date suggests he was not wearing a kill switch lanyard.
A kill switch lanyard attached to the operator is required for anyone operating a vessel less than 26 feet with a hand tiller outboard motor over 10 horsepower that is designed to have an engine cut-off switch while the motor is running and the vessel is underway.
