A sad story out of Saint Mary Parish where a weekend cooling off from the warm temperatures turned deadly.

A man drowned while swimming in the waters off Cyrpremort Point State Park Saturday night.

What was supposed to be a fun day out on the water with family and friends became a nightmare. Thirty-one year old Joseph Williams of Iberia Parish was swimming at Cypermort Point when witnesses say he started yelling. Bystanders rushed in, but couldn't find him and called 911.

"Our water patrol search and rescue responded, Wildlife and Fisheries, and St. Mary Parish," said Captin Ryan Turner with the Iberia Parish Sheriff's Office.

Around 7:15 saturday night, responders made the grim discovery and recovered Joseph's body.

"He loved to swim and he knew how to swim. We don't know what the cause was and why he couldn't swim back," said Michelle Angelle, Joseph's sister.

Joseph leaves behind a seven year old daughter and his family says he was one of a kind.

"He was a great person. he loved everyone and he knew how to make people laugh, and joke. and his daughter loved him so much," said Angelle.

Even after that deadly accident, dozens are still diving into the water at Cypermort Point.

"We come here almost every weekend during the summer, and we've always felt safe and secure. I'm going to hit the water for sure," said Katie Seim.

Seim wasn't alone cooling off in the water despite what happened at the point just twenty-four hours before.

"You take your chances when you go in the water. you never know what's going to happen," said Debbie Dugas.

At Cypermort Point there are no life guards and cooling off in this tranquil place is at your own risk.

Chris Welty
cwelty@katctv.com




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