> SOUTHERN INDIANA —
The body of the missing commercial fisherman who drowned in the Ohio River Thursday morning was discovered on Friday afternoon.
Richard Hovis II, 34, of Birdseye in Dubois County, was spotted by men who were working on a small barge about one mile from the Horseshoe Casino, Indiana Conservation Officer Mac Spainhour said.
Spainhour estimated the body floated about eight or nine miles in about a day and a half. Officials were surprised to find him so far down river.
Hovis was one of three men on a flat-bottomed commercial fishing boat about 100 yards west of the Sherman Minton Bridge and 25 or 30 yards from the New Albany shoreline when he apparently had a medical emergency and fell overboard. Spainhour said Hovis was dropping a hook for a fishing net at about 10:25 a.m.
Another man on the boat heard Hovis gasp for air and then fall straight into the water. He was not wearing a life jacket and sank immediately.
A man on the coast called 911, and the Coast Guard received a mayday call. Louisville Metro Fire and Rescue had divers in the water within about 45 minutes but mostly searched the area near the bridge.
Spainhour said he believes Hovis either had a heart attack or a grand mal seizure. Family members said he had a history of seizures but had not had one for a long time.
Spainhour did not know if the coroner would request an autopsy.
“This is just a tragic accident. You never know when you’re going to have a grand mal seizure,” Spainhour said.
Recent Local News
July 31, 2010
Missing commercial boater’s body found in Ohio River
- Recent Local News
-
-
Jeffersonville law department still being negotiated
The combined salaries of the two attorneys and a paralegal add up to $221,900, which Harmon called a savings compared to the $239,373 the city has paid in legal bills on average during the last two years.
-
HOUSE MONEY: Bill seeks to speed up time on foreclosure designation
-
Most area graduation rates above state average
According to a release from IDOE, Indiana’s state graduation rate came in at 85.7 percent. About 45 percent of high schools met or exceeded the 90 percent mark and 83 percent graduated 80 percent of their seniors or more.
-
YOU GOTTA MOVE: Parkwood participates in Greater Clark health push
- NEWS AND TRIBUNE BRIEFS — Feb. 11-12
- Meth lab numbers increase sharply in 2011
- Sellersburg issues boil-water advisory
-
Fun for the whole family
- Suspect arrested for pharmacy robbery
- Georgetown man facing drug charges
-
New Albany man accused of ‘sexting’ 11-year-old
- Crowded slate set for May primary
- Student council cancels yard sale
- Winter weather advisory issued for Southern Indiana
-
UPDATE: Missing Clark County man found dead
- More Recent Local News Headlines
-
