Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries enforcement agents are investigating a fatal boating incident in Iberia Parish.
The incident took place in Little Bayou Pigeon on Dec. 8 around 9 p.m. and claimed the life of Malcolm Perera, 48, of Bayou Pigeon. His body was recovered from Little Bayou Pigeon on Dec. 9 around 9:30 a.m. and turned over to the Iberia Parish Coroner’s Office.
LDWF agents were notified about the incident around 6 a.m. on Dec. 9. LDWF agents along with the Iberville Parish Sheriff’s Office and volunteers conducted the search for Perera and the capsized aluminum vessel.
Agents learned that Perera was operating the vessel with another male passenger on board. According to the male passenger Perera lost control of the vessel ejecting both men into the water.
The passenger was able to make it to shore and find an abandoned camp. The passenger was then able to flag down a passing vessel at 5:30 a.m. on Dec. 9. Perera never resurfaced and his body was found near the capsized vessel.
LDWF will be the lead investigative agency for this fatal boating incident. Neither men were wearing personal flotation devices at the time of the incident. Agents were able to recover the capsized vessel.