At least four rescued from Mississippi River after boat collision tears motor off boat, throws people overboard

Multiple individuals were rescued from the Mississippi River after a boating accident threw them overboard during the Fourth of July holiday weekend.

Everard Baker of Natchez Search and Rescue confirmed that at least four civilians were safely extracted from the river, including one who sustained a head injury, on July 6.

Authorities stated in a news release that wildlife and Fisheries officers, along with civilians, were the first to launch boats and rescue the individuals floating approximately two miles south of Natchez, Mississippi, and Vidalia, Louisiana.

“Search and Rescue did not pick them up. From what I understand, they hit something in the river, and I assume it was a rock dike that you can’t see in the water,” Baker told The Natchez Democrat newspaper.

The impact of the collision tore the motor off the civilian boat, throwing four of the six passengers into the water. Aside from the head injury, other passengers only sustained minor bruises. The condition of the injured individual remains unknown.

Vidalia Police Department Chief Joey Merrill expressed gratitude in the news release to his officers, Concordia Parish Sheriff’s Office, Wildlife and Fisheries, Natchez Search and Rescue, and Vidalia and Natchez Fire Departments for their swift response and efforts in rescuing the civilians.