LIVINGSTON PARISH, La. — Agents with the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries are investigating what led to a fatal boat crash on the Tickfaw River.
The victims were identified as Thuy Gustin, 31, of Springfield, and Chase Sharkey, 36, of Greensburg.
“LDWF agents were notified around 12:17 a.m. on July 28 about a two-vessel collision in the Tickfaw River near Kings Point. LDWF agents immediately arrived on the scene and found a heavily damaged 25-foot pontoon boat and a capsized 25-foot Sea Fox boat,” The LDWF said in a report posted through the Livingston Parish Sheriff's Office.
“Agents learned that a 27-year-old female who was a passenger on the Sea Fox was trapped under the capsized vessel. An agent and a Good Samaritan jumped in the water and were able to recover the female.”
"The agent and the Good Samaritan then performed CPR in an attempt to revive her until Acadian Ambulance arrived on the scene. Acadian Ambulance transported the female to the North Oaks Hospital where she was pronounced deceased," the report said.
"LDWF agents along with the Livingston Parish Sheriff’s Office and the Springfield Fire Department then began searching for a 36-year-old male that was the operator of the pontoon boat. The body of the male was recovered from the Tickfaw River around 12:45 p.m."
Three people on the Sea Fox boat and three people on the pontoon boat were taken to the North Oaks Hospital with serious injuries.
According to a family friend who spoke to WBRZ, Hunter Caballero, and his girlfriend, Jillian Bernard, will be in the hospital for several more weeks recovering from their injuries.
The family friend says Hunter saved Jillian's life when she was thrown from the boat and fractured her femur. Hunter suffered broken ribs and several other injuries.
Family and friends held a blood drive in Hunter's honor where 47 people donated blood. The Blood Center will make a financial contribution to his family to help with his medical costs.
Go Fund Me pages have been set up to help both Hunter and Jillian's families.
LDWF said at this time, it is unknown what led the two vessels to collide. The Sea Fox had six people on board and the pontoon boat had seven people on board. The report said no one was wearing a personal flotation device at the time of the collision.
Authorities said none of the people on board either boat was wearing a life jacket at the time of the collision.
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