FAST FACTS:
dennis.turner@wreg.com
(Arkabutla Lake, MS 7/8/2009) A Tate County man is dead tonight, after a fishing accident early this morning at Arkabutla lake.
Arkabutla is one of three North Mississippi reservoirs operated by the US Army Corps of Engineers and sits along the Tate-DeSoto County line just south of Hernando.
50-year-old Darrell Mitchell of Tate County apparently drowned when the seat on his fishing boat broke, sending him into the chilly waters of Arkabutla.
Apparently not even a fishing companion or a bystander nearby could save him.
Clyde Stull was on the other side of the massive lake but knew something was wrong when a great commotion broke the peace and quiet of his morning fishing trip, "I just heard siren after siren, it was somewhere after 7:30, 8:00" he recalled.
Rescue crews from the Corps of Engineers, Love Fire Department, Tate and DeSoto Counties rushed to save a man overboard. They found him in about 13 feet of water across from Hernando Point on the Tate County side of Arkabutla Lake.
Apparently the front seat broke on 50 year old Darrell Mitchell's boat, sending him into the water.
His unidentified companion also fell in, according to a nearby fisherman who called 911 and tried to help. "He was very exhausted and fatigued and there was not much information that he could share with us," said Bill Fly, Arkabutla Lake Manager.
The DeSoto Rescue squad took him to Baptist DeSoto Hospital for medical treatment.
It's believed neither of the men was wearing a life vest and that possibly Mitchell couldn't swim.
Even in the best circumstances, help here can take far longer than expected. "It's a pretty big lake, 30-thousand acres approximately at the current elevation and it takes us 15 to 20 minutes for us to get a boat to the far end of the lake," said Fly.
It points out the importance of new rules at all the Corps of Engineers North Mississippi lakes. They require people in all boats 16 feet or under, to wear life vests at all times. Those in bigger boats must wear them while the vessel is underway.
"It's important to take precautions when you walk out the door," said Stull.
And while some boaters here call that a bother, Clyde Stull calls it a lifesaver. "That is a good law. But obviously something went wrong this morning," he recalled.
Since Mitchell's body was found on the Tate County side of the lake, Tate County Sheriff Brad Lance has charge of the investigation. So far he says there are no signs of foul play.
- Fisherman Makes 911 Call About 7:30am
- Two Fishermen in Water
- One Drowns, One Survives
dennis.turner@wreg.com
(Arkabutla Lake, MS 7/8/2009) A Tate County man is dead tonight, after a fishing accident early this morning at Arkabutla lake.
Arkabutla is one of three North Mississippi reservoirs operated by the US Army Corps of Engineers and sits along the Tate-DeSoto County line just south of Hernando.
50-year-old Darrell Mitchell of Tate County apparently drowned when the seat on his fishing boat broke, sending him into the chilly waters of Arkabutla.
Apparently not even a fishing companion or a bystander nearby could save him.
Clyde Stull was on the other side of the massive lake but knew something was wrong when a great commotion broke the peace and quiet of his morning fishing trip, "I just heard siren after siren, it was somewhere after 7:30, 8:00" he recalled.
Rescue crews from the Corps of Engineers, Love Fire Department, Tate and DeSoto Counties rushed to save a man overboard. They found him in about 13 feet of water across from Hernando Point on the Tate County side of Arkabutla Lake.
Apparently the front seat broke on 50 year old Darrell Mitchell's boat, sending him into the water.
His unidentified companion also fell in, according to a nearby fisherman who called 911 and tried to help. "He was very exhausted and fatigued and there was not much information that he could share with us," said Bill Fly, Arkabutla Lake Manager.
The DeSoto Rescue squad took him to Baptist DeSoto Hospital for medical treatment.
It's believed neither of the men was wearing a life vest and that possibly Mitchell couldn't swim.
Even in the best circumstances, help here can take far longer than expected. "It's a pretty big lake, 30-thousand acres approximately at the current elevation and it takes us 15 to 20 minutes for us to get a boat to the far end of the lake," said Fly.
It points out the importance of new rules at all the Corps of Engineers North Mississippi lakes. They require people in all boats 16 feet or under, to wear life vests at all times. Those in bigger boats must wear them while the vessel is underway.
"It's important to take precautions when you walk out the door," said Stull.
And while some boaters here call that a bother, Clyde Stull calls it a lifesaver. "That is a good law. But obviously something went wrong this morning," he recalled.
Since Mitchell's body was found on the Tate County side of the lake, Tate County Sheriff Brad Lance has charge of the investigation. So far he says there are no signs of foul play.
