Boater stranded after going over dam – UPDATED (10:37PM)

What started as a family outing on the Tombigbee River almost ended in tragedy when a boater missed the entrance to the Foscue Park boat ramp and went over the dam about 7:30 p.m. Sunday.

Leonard Jordan of Arlington managed to stay with his boat as it dropped some 20 to 25 feet over the dam. He had talked with his family by cell phone to let them know he was caught in the current and couldn’t break away. Several other boaters in the area witnessed the accident.

Jordan and his boat became stranded on an island of limerock in the river. Personnel from the U.S. Coast Guard, Corps of Engineers, Demopolis Fire and Rescue, Department of Conservation and Amstar Emergency Service assisted in reaching Jordan and bringing him to shore.

Jordan, who had minor injuries, walked up the boat ramp at the Lower Pool with the assistance of two EMTs. He was taken by ambulance to Bryan W. Whitfield Memorial Hospital for observation.

Chief Tommie Reese said officials were in communication with the boater during the ordeal. The Swift Boat Rescue Team from Shelby County and a helicopter rescue squad had been called in to help, but the call was cancelled once local officials managed the rescue.