Details of the Tickfaw River Boating Accident

On July 28, 2024, a Tickfaw river boating accident happened near Kings Point in Louisiana, killing two people and injuring six others. A 25-foot Sea Fox and a 25-foot pontoon boat crashed into each other.

Thuy Gustin, 31, a Sea Fox passenger, got trapped and died after being rescued by a Wildlife & Fisheries agent and a bystander. Chase Sharkey, 36, the pontoon boat’s operator, also died, found 12 hours later.

The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries is looking into the Tickfaw River Boating Accident, which might be considered a crime because of how it happened.

Casualties Involved

Thuy Gustin, 31, and Chase Sharkey, 36, were killed in Tickfaw River Boating Accident. Gustin was trapped under the boat and died at North Oaks Hospital, while Sharkey was found 12 hours later.

Gustin was known for her dedication to her family, leaving behind her husband and two children. Sharkey was loved by his community for his kindness.

Their deaths have deeply affected their loved ones, leading to widespread sympathy from the community.

Rescue Efforts

The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries quickly responded to Tickfaw River Boating Accident, reaching the scene about 12:17 a.m. on July 28.

They found a badly damaged pontoon boat and a Sea Fox boat that had flipped over. They started rescuing people right away, including Thuy Gustin, who was trapped under the boat.

A Wildlife & Fisheries agent and a bystander went into the water to perform CPR until the ambulance arrived.

Gustin passed away at North Oaks Hospital. At the same time, LDWF worked with local and fire departments to find Chase Sharkey, the person who was in the pontoon boat.

Injuries Reported

In the Tickfaw River Boating Accident, six people got hurt when two boats crashed into each other.

Three people from each boat were taken to North Oaks Hospital for care. Luckily, their injuries are serious but not life-threatening, which means they should recover well.

We don’t know exactly what kind of injuries they have, but they could be things like broken bones, cuts, or head injuries, which usually need medical treatment.

Investigation Initiated

The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries is investigating a boating accident on the Tickfaw River, considering it a criminal case.

Initial reports show a 25-foot Sea Fox boat hit a 25-foot pontoon boat in the middle of the water, causing damage and flipping the Sea Fox.

Both boats had their lights on, and the Sea Fox’s operators will have drug tests soon. The department is also talking to people who saw what happened to learn more details.

Circumstances Leading to the Collision

A 25-foot Sea Fox boat crashed into a 25-foot pontoon boat, hitting it in the middle and flipping it over. The Sea Fox then flipped back and sank.

The pontoon boat was badly damaged. The Sea Fox hit the pontoon boat hard enough to flip both boats and sink the Sea Fox.

Lack of Safety Measures

The Tickfaw River boating accident showed a big issue with people not wearing life jackets.

Both boats had no one wearing flotation devices, which is a big problem for boating safety in Louisiana, showing we need better rules and more education about safety, especially for boating at night or in bad conditions.

The Tickfaw River Boating Accident reminds us how important it is to follow safety rules, especially in boating, where accidents can lead to serious harm.

Legal Implications

Blood samples were collected from the boat operators in the Tickfaw River Boating Accident to check for impairment.

The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries (LDWF) is looking into the case as a possible criminal matter and might charge the operators based on the test results.

Toxicology tests on the deceased operator of the pontoon boat and the survivor of the Sea Fox boat are ongoing, expected to take a few weeks.

Community Reaction

The community mourns the Tickfaw River boating accident with some people extending their sympathies to the family of Thuy Gustin and Chase Sharkey.

Local authorities, the people in charge of the places, want people to be more careful when they undertake boating and that everyone should wear life jackets.

They are also urging the community to stand united and extend support to the victims’ families of this dreadful incident.

The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries is urging the public not to speculate on what might have transpired and assured the people that the agency would determine what exactly transpired in causing the accident.

The community comes together to support the families that were affected by the Victims, which is a sign of the community spirit during this sad period.

Memorials for Victims

There have been people coming together to organize how they want to pay their last respect to Thuy Gustin and Chase Sharkey, which goes to show how much they were missed after being gone.

A GoFundMe page to assist with Thuy Gustin’s funeral has been created, and has received over $16,000 of a $25,000 goal to ensure that she can be honored as a beautiful person with a beautiful funeral and a loving mother who deserves to be remembered.

There is also a MealTrain for Chase Sharkey’s family with four children to help them with meals during the difficult time.

The deaths of both Gustin and Sharkey in the Tickfaw River Boating Accident has left a huge void in their families and friends’ lives who are grieving and struggling to heal from the tragedy.

Updates on Investigation Progress

The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries is just starting to look into the boat crash on the Tickfaw River and will give updates soon.

They expect to get test results from the boat operators’ blood in a few weeks, which will help figure out if they were impaired.

The Tickfaw River Boating Accident highlights the need for water safety and the serious effects of carelessness.

As the community grieves for Thuy Gustin and Chase Sharkey, it’s important to promote safety and responsibility among all water users.