Published: April 06, 2009 01:50 pm      

(1:50 p.m.) Man drowns at Okatibbee Lake

By Brian Livingston

blivingston@themeridianstar.com

Officials with the Lauderdale County Sheriff's Department said today a man apparently drowned last night at Okatibbe Lake when his truck accidentally rolled into the water at the Gin Creek boat ramp.

LCSD Chief Dep. Ward Calhoun said the victim's name is not being released as yet pending notification of next of kin. He did however say the victim was a black male in his 40s.

Shortly before 11 p.m., a motorist traveling on Center Hill Martin Road was flagged down by a female. Calhoun said the female was soaking wet and told the motorist a man was trapped inside a truck under water at the boat landing. Volunteer fire and rescue teams from Collinsville and Martin were called to the scene and several volunteer firefighters attempted to locate the truck and the victim.

"Divers with the Lauderdale County Emergency Management Agency were then called in to take up the search," said Calhoun. "At about 1 p.m. the body was located by divers."

The body will be sent to Jackson for an autopsy.

The victim's truck was also located and pulled from the lake.

Calhoun said investigators with the Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks have taken over the case but he added no foul play was suspected at this time.