Thuy Gustin,Chase Sharkey Obituary, – Officials have confirmed the identities of the individuals who lost their lives in a tragic boat accident on the Tickfaw River shortly after midnight on Sunday, July 28. The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries has named the victims as Thuy Gustin, aged 31, from Springfield, and Chase Sharkey, aged 36, from Greensburg.
The incident occurred between a 25-foot pontoon boat, which was being operated by Sharkey, and a 25-foot Sea Fox boat in the vicinity of Kings Point on the Tickfaw River. Upon arrival, emergency responders discovered the pontoon boat severely damaged and the Sea Fox overturned.
Gustin, who was a passenger on the Sea Fox, was found trapped beneath the overturned vessel. An LDWF agent and a Good Samaritan bravely entered the water to retrieve her. Despite their efforts to resuscitate her until the ambulance arrived, Gustin was later pronounced dead at the hospital.
Sharkey’s body was recovered by search teams approximately 12 hours later. Friends who had gathered near the river anxiously awaiting updates revealed that he was a father of four. Tributes for the victims began to flood social media platforms on Monday morning.
“I STILL CAN’T BELIEVE IT,” EXPRESSED ONE OF GUSTIN’S FRIENDS. “YOU WERE ALWAYS FULL OF LIFE AND UP FOR THE NEXT ADVENTURE.” ANOTHER FRIEND, CERA BLACKBURN, DESCRIBED THE NEWS AS “ABSOLUTELY HEARTBREAKING.” FORMER LIVINGSTON PARISH PRESIDENT LAYTON RICKS FONDLY REMEMBERED SHARKEY AS A DEVOTED FAMILY MAN AND A MAN OF FAITH.
“YOU ALWAYS KNEW WHERE YOU STOOD WITH CHASE, AND IF YOU WERE HIS FRIEND, YOU HAD A LOYAL COMPANION,” RICKS SHARED. “HIS INTEGRITY, HONESTY, AND TRUSTWORTHINESS WERE UNWAVERING.” “TO HAVE KNOWN HIM WAS TO HAVE LOVED HIM,” POSTED ANOTHER FRIEND, ERIN FOSTER.
At the time of the collision, the Sea Fox was carrying six individuals, while the pontoon boat had seven passengers. LDWF reported that none of the occupants were wearing life jackets. Three individuals from each boat sustained serious injuries, but they were believed to be non-life threatening. They were promptly transported to the hospital for medical attention.
The cause of the accident remains under investigation. LDWF disclosed that blood samples were collected from the Sea Fox operator for toxicology analysis, with results pending. The Livingston Parish Coroner’s Office is also involved in the ongoing investigation.
