Port Allen Man Drowns While Swimming In Belle River
The St. Martin Parish Sheriff's Office received a 911 call yesterday afternoon in reference to a report of a possible drowning in Belle River, LA., near Bayou Magazille.
Deputies with the St. Martin Parish Sheriff’s Office responded to the scene and learned that 58-year-old Donald T. Matherne of Port Allen, LA., was swimming with a group of friends near their party barge when they noticed that he had not resurfaced. Initial attempts by the group to locate him were unsuccessful.
Deputies with the St. Martin Parish Sheriff’s Office along with the assistance from Deputies with the Assumption Parish Sheriff’s Office and the St. Mary Parish Sheriff’s Office, responded to the scene and initiated recovery efforts. At approximately 8:30 p.m., Deputies with the St. Mary Parish Marine Patrol Division recovered his body.