A father and son from Erath may have lost their lives 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 information received by the Sheriff’s Office was that only two persons were aboard the vessel at the time of the crash.   

The Meridional has learned that the two bodies could be from Erath but it will not be certain until the Iberia Parish Coroner's Office releases the names. Until then, the Meridional has elected not to release the names of who it may be.

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