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One dead, one injured after boat capsizes in Lake Pontchartrain

State wildlife agents originally said there were three men on the boat.

SLIDELL, La. — One man is dead and another person was hurt after a boat capsized in Lake Pontchartrain Thursday morning.

Lt. Joel Cromp with the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries confirmed that two people were on the boat when it capsized. 

"They were trawling for shrimp and the trawl got tangled up, and he was trying to untangle it," Cromp said. "A wave came over the stern of the vessel and the vessel capsized."

62-year-old Rick Hodgson of Pearl River died in the accident, according to the St. Tammany Parish Coroner.  The surviving boater has been identified as Steve Cossich.

The other person has not been identified by officials but is being treated for injuries and expected to recover. 

Wildlife and Fisheries officials say both men were not wearing flotation devices.

Wildlife and fisheries originally reported that there were three people on the boat and all were found alive. Now, they say there was never a third person on the boat.

The St. Tammany Parish Sheriff's Office and the U.S. Coast Guard had been searching Lake Pontchartrain early Thursday morning after the skiff boat and crew were reported overdue at a Slidell port at around 5:15 a.m.

RELATED: Wildlife and Fisheries department urging safe boating practices after fatal accidents

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