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July 5, 2012

Port Neches man drowns in Vidor

The Port Arthur News

Vidor — A Port Neches man celebrating the Fourth of July with friends drowned in Vidor on Wednesday.

The victim, identified as Richard Shultz III, 27, and friends had reportedly launched their boat at Port Neches Riverfront Park and drove to the Neches River sandbar in south Vidor, according to a press release from the Orange County Sheriff’s Office.

There were numerous boats parked and anchored at the location with people enjoying the day at the sandbar, Deputy Chad Hogan said in the press release.

The sheriff’s office received the call of the possible drowning about 7:20 p.m. Wednesday, July 4 at the sandbar which is located at the end of Mansfield Ferry Road in south Vidor.

Several witnesses said the victim had his pet boa constrictor with him and was walking around the sandbar showing the pet snake to children and allowing them to hold the snake and take pictures holding it. The victim brought his snake back to the boat, which was anchored about 20 yards off the bank in four feet of water, then headed back to the sandbar.

About 30 minutes later Shultz’s friends on the boat went to look for him as he had not returned and they were ready to leave to go watch a fireworks show. As one of the friends was walking from the boat to the sandbar he found the victim unresponsive in the water.

Several people reportedly came over and helped remove the victim form the water, began CPR and called 911. The Vidor Fire Department and Acadian Ambulance responded to the scene and continued life saving efforts but were not successful in reviving the victim.

Orange County Precinct 3 Justice of the Peace Janice Menard responded and pronounced the victim deceased at the scene. Menard ordered an inquest and the victim was transported to the Jefferson County Morgue where an autopsy will be performed.

 

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