A DeQuincy man drowned on Sunday in the Sabine River in Starks.

The Calcasieu Parish Sheriff’s Office received a call at 7:45 a.m. regarding a possible drowning on Old Pump Plant Road. Upon arrival, deputies learned that 37-year-old James J. Mason, of DeQuincy, was fishing off the bank of the river while holding his 1-year-old child.

“It is believed he possibly had a seizure which caused him to fall into the river with the baby,” Sheriff’s Office spokeswoman Kim Myers said in a news release. “The man who owned the camp where Mason was fishing heard the screams of a lady who heard a splash and realized Mason and his baby had fallen into the river. A neighbor of the camp owner was able to rescue the baby, but after jumping in the water, the camp owner was unable to find Mason.”

The CPSO Marine Division and Dive Team were called out and were able to locate Mason’s body around 11:30 a.m.

Sr. Cpl. Alfin Johnson is the lead deputy on the case. The investigation is ongoing.

(MGNonline)