Authorities have confirmed the recovery of two individuals who went missing after a tragic boating accident on Pickwick Lake in Colbert County. The incident occurred on Saturday night, prompting an extensive search operation. Colbert County Sheriff Eric Balentine reported that the first body was located shortly after the collision, while the second was discovered on Monday morning as search efforts resumed.
The recovery operations spanned from late Saturday into Sunday and continued into Monday until all efforts were concluded. According to the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency (ALEA), the collision took place around 9:15 p.m. when an aluminum fishing boat collided with a commercial tugboat. The impact resulted in both occupants of the smaller vessel being thrown into the water.
In response to the incident, troopers from ALEA’s Marine Patrol Division and Aviation Unit joined forces with several other agencies to assist in the search. The U.S. Coast Guard has taken the lead in investigating the circumstances surrounding the crash, aiming to uncover the details that led to this unfortunate event.