Please be careful!!

[YakkinSETX]

Didn't really know where to post this.

Yesterday a young man that we have known his entire life, drowned while kayaking with some friends. They were under the 1-10 bridge in Lake Charles. He was 22 years young, 6 days younger than our daughter.

I know most here are experienced kayakers, he was not. He didn't know how to swim nor did he have on a PFD. Even though his older brother gave him two to take on the trip & stressed to him that he needed to wear one.

My heart is so heavy tonight. Don't know that I have ever known a nicer or more respectful young man than Josh. He was our sons best friend.

No doubt he would still be here with us had he had on a PFD.

This happened about 6:00 Saturday & the divers found his body about 10:30 last night.

We stayed with the family @ the launch for several hours during the search. We lingering with them after they found him for couple of more hours. One of the hardest things I have ever had to do & I pray I will never have to do again.

Please please please where your PFD!!!! Do it for those that love you!!!

[wetnhungry]

Very sad. Sorry for your loss.

[Mythman]

Just breaks my heart to hear about kayaker's deaths, expecially when just wearing a PFD could have prevented the tragic end results.

My prayers for surviving family and friends.

[larry long shadows]

Damn thats sad....and not knowing how to swim with on PDF I guess he thought he could hang on to yak if he fell out .. so sorry for you and his family God Bless

[gonefishin]

Sorry to hear that. Condolences to the family and a reminder to everyone that a PFD isn't much good strapped to the boat. Wear it please, at least for your family. It does not make you a Sissy or a fraidy cat or a wuss. It makes you smarter than the average bear. So sorry for the loss of this young man.

[TexaRican]

Prayers up

[5x5]

this is sad and fully avoidable. When I was growing up, We were not allowed on a boat until we could swim .

[mpg2yahoo]

I'm very sorry for the loss of this young man.

I think back when I rented a kayak for the first time at Lady Bird and let my daughter take hers without putting the PFD on.

I look back and see how stupid I was for not forcing her to put it on.

I knew she could swim, but one doesn't know what type of emergency will hit. I know that now really well after seeing how these emergencies pop out here.

Thanks for sharing because although this will not bring back this young fellow, it will probably create consciousness to others of how important is to wear the PFD's when out in the water.

[CoastieCulture]

Prayers......

[Captain53]

Prayers for the young man's family and good they had a friend like you to stand with them.

[johndoughy]

Sorry to hear that. What a shame.

I won't let anyone even wade with me if they can't swim. Just isn't worth it.

[vic'sfly]

Prayers .......

[saltwaterslime]

So sorry to hear that.

[manuelvrockport]

Heart sunk a bit reading this. Sad. Condolences to the family on such a terrible deal.

[Erock]

Wow, that's a tough one, knowing how preventable it was! Sorry to hear....

[YakkinSETX]

The driver is Josh, the young man that drownd, with our son in the passenger seat.

[Birdsnest]

Thoughts and prayers

[Kayak Kid]

So sorry for your tragedy.

[TroutSupport.com]

Sorry to hear this... sad.