Assumption Parish man dies in St. Mary Parish boating accident

ST. MARY PARISH, La. (KLFY) — An Assumption Parish man died in a boating accident Tuesday in Bayou Chene, authorities said.

Jimmy Ruff Sr., 62, of Bayou Lourse, died after he was involved in an incident in St. Mary Parish on July 23., according to Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries.

Agents received a call around 4 a.m. Tuesday about a 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 dead shortly thereafter.

The LDWF Enforcement Division is the lead investigative agency for this incident.