BOSSIER PARISH, La — A tragic accident occurred on Tuesday afternoon near the Lake Bistineau dam in Bossier Parish, resulting in the drowning of a 55-year-old Ringgold man.
Bossier Sheriff Julian Whittington reported that Kenneth Gibson, who was fishing with his nephew, lost his life after the two attempted to cross a rock shelf with swift water flowing over it.
The incident happened around 1 p.m.
According to authorities, both men lost their footing and were swept into the fast-moving water. While Gibson’s nephew managed to swim to safety, Gibson was carried into a swirling canal below the dam and did not resurface.
Emergency responders, including Bossier Parish deputies, South Bossier Fire District, Bienville Fire District, agents from the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries, and the Bienville Parish Sheriff’s Office, immediately launched a search and rescue operation.
Despite extensive efforts, Gibson’s body was not found, and the search was suspended for the night.
Recovery efforts are set to resume at 6:30 a.m. Wednesday.
