Authorities have identified the Baxter County man killed in a boating accident Tuesday afternoon at Cranfield. Seventy-four-year-old Robert Jay Louck was pronounced dead by the county coroner after lifesaving attempts by emergency personnel were unsuccessful.
According to Baxter County Sheriff John Montgomery, his office was notified by 911 dispatch around 3:15 of a man yelling for help with injuries at Cranfield Marina on Norfork Lake and emergency medical personnel had already been dispatched. When deputies arrived, they discovered Louck’s boat had extensive damage to its front, side and interior.
Just after 4, the sheriff’s office was notified a second person may be missing. Video surveillance from the marina reportedly showed the boat leaving earlier in the day with two individuals on board, but returned with just one. The sheriff’s helicopter was deployed and a search was conducted. It was later determined the second person had previously been dropped off elsewhere and was safe.
The video further indicated Louck and his damaged boat returned to the area of Cranfield Marina around 2:30 and was reportedly seen slowly circling near the marina for about 30 minutes, arriving at the dock and striking another boat parked in a stall.
The accident is being investigated by Arkansas Game and Fish Commission officers. Other responding agencies include U.S. Army Corps of Engineers park rangers, the Arkansas State Police, the Northeast Lakeside Fire Department and the Baxter Health and Air Evac ambulance services.
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