Bayou L'Ourse man dies in boating accident

Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries enforcement agents are investigating a fatal boating incident that occurred Tuesday in St. Mary Parish.

The body of Jimmy Ruff Sr., 62, Bayou L'Ourse, was turned over to the St. Mary Parish Coroner’s Office.

According to the LDWF account, agents received a call around 4 a.m. Tuesday about a fatal boating incident in Bayou Chene. According to the operator of the vessel, he and Ruff were returning from fishing and were heading home when they saw the flood control lock lights ahead of them and started to slow down.

While slowing down, they hit something in the water that caused Ruff to be propelled forward in the vessel. As a result of the incident, Ruff was incapacitated and unresponsive.

The operator immediately called for help and headed to the Amelia Boat Launch. Ruff was pronounced deceased shortly thereafter.

The LDWF Enforcement Division will be the lead investigative agency for this fatal boating incident.