Ortemonds from Erath killed in boating accident in Iberia Parish

A father and son from Erath lost their lives in a boating accident Saturday at noon in Iberia Parish.

Friends, family and the town of Erath are dealing with the loss of Erath natives Leon Ortemond and his son David, who were killed in a boating accident Saturday at noon in Iberia Parish.

Sheriff Louis Ackal advises that on Saturday at approximately 12:15 p.m. the Iberia Parish Sheriff’s Office received a call advising that a boat was on fire located on the commercial canal at the Port of Iberia.

The Iberia Parish Sheriff’s Office Water Patrol Unit arrived on scene along with Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries, Iberia Parish Fire District, Rynella Fire Department and Acadian Ambulance. Deputies located the boat still smoldering against the bank of the Commercial Canal, which was approximately two miles from the boat landing at the Port of Iberia.

After the fire was extinguished, divers with the Lafayette Parish Sheriff’s Office Water Division assisted in the search for the passengers aboard the vessel.

Two bodies were recovered during the search.

The boat they were in was a high-speed 36 foot long Skater boat, known to reach speeds of more than 100 miles per hour. It is unknown at this time if high speed was the cause of the accident or who was driving the boat. The boat is said to belong to David.

Stu Jones posted on Florida Powerboat Club website these words:

"It is with great pain and sorrow that I must report this tragic news to our Florida Powerboat Club membership, and members of the performance boating community.

Jackie and I are sitting here at home in disbelief on this Saturday evening, after receiving the recent news that earlier today, Leon Ortemond and son David were in a terrible boating crash on David's 36 Skater. We do not have access to a copy of the accident report, but at this point, the fact remains...and the painful reality is, that both Leon and David have lost their lives, and we have lost two members of our boating family.

"We express our sorrow and sincere condolences to Mrs. Ortemond, son Lance, daughter Christy, son-in-law Andre, and of course David's wonderful fiance Sandy...as well as the immediate family and the extended family of hundreds of employees and associates that are a part of the Ortemond's D&L Salvage organization. This is beyond comprehension. This is the worst tragedy that we could ever have imagined. We will miss you both. Always, and forever."

David had plans to marry later this year.

Agents with the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries are investigating the cause of the crash at this time.

The details of the funeral have not been released as of Sunday.

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