Yahoo Lifestyle 82-Year-Old Fisherman Was Trapped in Mud for Hours Until Help Arrived
The Destrehan, La., resident was fishing for crawfish when he got stuck in thick mud
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Maurepas Swamp Wildlife Management Area, LaPlace, Louisiana, 2015An 82-year-old Louisiana man was rescued by authorities after spending multiple hours stuck in thick mud while fishing.
St. John the Baptist Parish Sheriff’s Office did not identify the individual, but said in a Wednesday, March 26, press release that the Destrehan, La., resident was found in a wooded area off I-10 in LaPlace late Sunday night, March 23.
LaPlace is located about 30 miles west of New Orleans.
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His family reported him missing after not hearing from him for more than eight hours.
According to the sheriff’s office, the 82-year-old had been fishing for crawfish and got stuck in waist-deep muddy water, leaving him stranded.
St. John Parish patrol officer Corporal Travis Klibert located the man’s vehicle shortly before 11:30 p.m. local time, according to the press release.
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Deputy Brian Kennedy with the SJSO used a drone to assist in the search and found the missing man in the woods about two-tenths of a mile away from the vehicle. Sergeant Jonathan Walker gave the elderly man a lifejacket and pulled him back to land using a rope.
Once safe, the man told authorities he couldn't call for help because his phone got wet and stopped working while he was stuck.
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He was considered to be alert, but was transported to a local hospital by Acadian Ambulance for further treatment.
St. John Sheriff Mike Tregre thanked his deputies for their work in finding the man, as well as offered suggestions to those participating in outdoor activities.
“Always let someone know where you are going, where you will be and when you will be back,” Sheriff Tregre said. “You never know what will happen. It’s good to make sure that other people are aware of your plans and location.”
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