tx1961whaler
Vice Admiral
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5 dead when boat goes under edge of barge at night
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HOUMA, La. (AP) ? Louisiana officials say five men who planned to take part in a weekend fishing tournament died when their 24-foot aluminum boat ran under one end of a barge.
Department of Wildlife and Fisheries Captain Samuel Martin says the boat hit the moored barge late Wednesday but wasn't discovered until Thursday morning. He said the men apparently hit their heads on the barge's slanting underside.
The victims identities were released by the department Thursday evening. Two were from Louisiana: Michael James Carrere, 44, of Houma, and Carey J. Meche, 52, from the New Orleans suburb of Metairie. Three were from Texas: Rene Joseph Gauthier, 59, of Houston; Lawrence Henry Flak, 54, Conroe; and William Norris Voss, 49, of Katy.
Department spokeswoman Marianne Burke said investigators don't know whether the barge was lit. She said the boat was taken to a secure lot for further investigation.
Martin said the boat was upright, with the bodies still in it.
The accident happened about 60 miles southwest of New Orleans on the Falgout (FAHL'-goo) Canal between Theriot (TERRY-oh) and Dulac (DOO-lak). The barge was being used by a crew stabilizing the bank.
Ernie Bennett, who is on the board of the Houma Oilman's Invitational Fishing Tournament, says the men were among about 3,000 entered in the tournament that begins Friday.
Copyright ? 2009 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.
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HOUMA, La. (AP) ? Louisiana officials say five men who planned to take part in a weekend fishing tournament died when their 24-foot aluminum boat ran under one end of a barge.
Department of Wildlife and Fisheries Captain Samuel Martin says the boat hit the moored barge late Wednesday but wasn't discovered until Thursday morning. He said the men apparently hit their heads on the barge's slanting underside.
The victims identities were released by the department Thursday evening. Two were from Louisiana: Michael James Carrere, 44, of Houma, and Carey J. Meche, 52, from the New Orleans suburb of Metairie. Three were from Texas: Rene Joseph Gauthier, 59, of Houston; Lawrence Henry Flak, 54, Conroe; and William Norris Voss, 49, of Katy.
Department spokeswoman Marianne Burke said investigators don't know whether the barge was lit. She said the boat was taken to a secure lot for further investigation.
Martin said the boat was upright, with the bodies still in it.
The accident happened about 60 miles southwest of New Orleans on the Falgout (FAHL'-goo) Canal between Theriot (TERRY-oh) and Dulac (DOO-lak). The barge was being used by a crew stabilizing the bank.
Ernie Bennett, who is on the board of the Houma Oilman's Invitational Fishing Tournament, says the men were among about 3,000 entered in the tournament that begins Friday.
Copyright ? 2009 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.
