Lafayette, LA — Two Louisiana men were tragically killed early Wednesday morning following an explosion aboard a work boat at the J.D. Murphree Wildlife Management Area in Port Arthur, Texas. The incident also left a third crew member seriously injured, according to local officials.
The men who lost their lives were identified as a 45-year-old from Abbeville, Louisiana, who was reportedly the boat’s captain, and a 41-year-old from Houma, Louisiana. A third crew member, whose name has not been released, was transported to the hospital with serious injuries and is currently receiving medical treatment.
The explosion occurred after the vessel, which was registered in Louisiana, had just completed a refueling operation. The boat was part of a commercial project at the wildlife management area, where a levee project was underway through a partnership between the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department and Ducks Unlimited.
Joseph L. Guillory, the Justice of the Peace for Jefferson County Precinct Two, confirmed the deaths and noted that the incident remains under investigation. Officials have stated that the U.S. Coast Guard is handling the case, and they are working to determine the cause of the explosion.
At the time of the explosion, the vessel had three crew members aboard, all of whom were rushed to the hospital. Unfortunately, two of them were pronounced dead from their injuries.
The explosion did not cause damage to the surrounding wildlife management area, which remains open to the public, officials reported. The incident is being closely examined by local authorities, and autopsies have been ordered as part of the ongoing investigation.
Authorities are awaiting further information from the Coast Guard to shed light on what led to this devastating event. While the cause of the explosion has yet to be determined, the incident highlights the dangers faced by those working in commercial and industrial operations in the region.
As the investigation continues, officials are urging the public to stay informed as more details become available.