LAUDERDALE COUNTY, Miss. (Queen City Newsfeed) – Authorities have recovered and identified the two men who died after a boat overturned late Wednesday morning in Lauderdale County, according to Coroner Stella McMahan.
McMahan identified the victims as Earl McClelland, 64, and Judge Ondray Harris Sr., 65. A third person who was aboard the boat survived and was transported to a local hospital. That individual’s condition has not been released.
The Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries, and Parks is leading the investigation into the incident. The Lauderdale County Emergency Management Agency and the Meridian Fire Department’s dive team assisted with the recovery efforts.
A press conference is scheduled for Thursday, Nov. 20, with officials expected to release additional information once the time is finalized.
Search and recovery operations began Wednesday after emergency crews received a call around 11 a.m. reporting an overturned boat with three occupants in the 6500 block of J.O. Thomas Road. Multiple agencies responded, including the Lauderdale County Sheriff’s Department, Metro Ambulance, and the Toomsuba Fire Department.
Authorities continue to urge the public to avoid the area as the investigation moves forward.