USCG Searching for 2 Trapped Under Sunken Barge

The Coast Guard, along with the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission and the Mississippi County, Ark. Sheriff's Department, are searching for two people in the water near a sunken barge in Hickman Landing Wednesday.

Watchstanders at Coast Guard Sector Lower Mississippi River received a report at 4:15 p.m. Tuesday that two people became trapped beneath a barge that flipped and sank in the Mississippi River.

Sector Lower Mississippi River directed the launch of a 25-foot Response Boat — Small boatcrew to search for the two men along with joint agency boatcrews.

The Mississippi River is closed from mile marker 815 to mile marker 825 to aid in the search efforts.

“This reminds us of the dangers mariners face while working on the river,” said Capt. William Drelling, commander, Sector Lower Mississippi. “We are searching extensively within a 10-mile area with our partner agencies to locate the two men."

The cause of the incident is under investigation.

uscgnews.com