Search ends for missing man who fell into river from capsized boat

Two fellow crewmen rescued by Good Samaritans

Officials have discontinued the search for a Hammond man who went missing when the workboat he was in capsized last Wednesday near the Hale Boggs Memorial Bridge in Luling.

James Swafford, 36, was identified as the missing man on Monday by the St. Charles Parish Sheriff’s Office.

Swafford is an employee of River Construction, a sister company of Magnolia Fleet, according to the Sheriff’s Office. He was with two fellow crewmen when their 24-foot workboat capsized.

Good Samaritans helped rescue Jeffery Miller, 36, of Kiln, Miss., and Jeffery Jenkins, 34, of Prairieville, according to the Sheriff’s Office.

The U.S. Coast Guard received the call at 10:45 a.m. last Wednesday and dispatched a search vessel, which continued to search for Hammond until 7 p.m. New Year’s eve pending further evidence, said Seth Johnson with the Coast Guard. The search included a vessel, helicopter, and safety and security team along with assistance from Good Samaritans in vessels.

The Sheriff’s Office also responded to a call about the capsized vessel and continued the search for Swafford until Monday. A vessel by the Port of South Louisiana also aided the search.

 

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