Missing boater found safe - WTVM.com-Columbus, GA News Weather & Sports

Missing boater found safe

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Posted by Joshua Auzenne - email

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MORGAN CITY, LA (WAFB) -

A boater who was considered missing for a few hours Thursday night is recovering in the hospital after being found.

Someone called the St. Mary Parish Sheriff's Office around 8:30 p.m. to report Justin Price, 22, of Morgan City missing after his boat was seen floating on Flat Lake and he wasn't in it.

The SMPSO Water Patrol started a search. It was joined by officers with different agencies in the area and volunteers.

Deputies said a volunteer located Price in the Flat Lake area around 10 p.m.

He was taken to Teche Regional Medical Center with hypothermia.

He told investigators his boat got stuck on a sand bar while he was out hunting, so he decided to build a fire to try to warm up.

However, while he was trying to get the fire going, the water rose up and his boat drifted away.

Deputies said over two dozen boats were involved in the search.

The St. Mary Parish Sheriff's Office was assisted by the Assumption Parish Sheriff's Office and Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries.

Volunteer fire departments from Morgan City, Berwick, Bayou Vista and Amelia also helped.

In addition, there were individual volunteers involved in the search.

Authorities said the US Coast Guard was on standby ready to send out a helicopter if needed.

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