Search Intensifies for Missing Alabama Man After Family Boat Mishap
A heartbreaking situation is unfolding in Alabama as authorities continue their search for 40-year-old John DeJonge, who went missing following a boating incident on the Blakey River. The Spanish Fort Police Department has confirmed that DeJonge, along with another adult and a 2-year-old child, were on a 17-foot boat when engine troubles led to a capsizing on Saturday evening, February 15. While the father and toddler managed to swim to safety and wave down help, DeJonge’s fate remains unknown, leaving family and friends in distress.
Witness reports indicate that the adult male, who was identified as John’s brother, described him as a quiet, intelligent man devoted to his two children. According to local authorities, the ordeal began when the boat began experiencing mechanical issues. It’s been reported that the engine failed while they were working on it, leading to the tragic overturn that sent all three individuals plunging into the cold waters.
As winter is still upon us, police emphasized the urgency of the situation, especially concerning the child. “Time in the water is crucial,” Spanish Fort Police Chief John Barber noted, highlighting the chilling temperatures that had begun to drop the young one’s core temperature rapidly.
Search operations were briefly hampered due to severe weather but resumed the following morning with the help of multiple agencies, including the Daphne Fire Department and the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency. In a community-driven effort, John’s sister, Alysia DeJonge, mobilized local boaters to assist in the search by coordinating a meeting point at Meaher State Park for anyone willing to lend a hand. “We appreciate all of you who have checked on us and thank you for the prayers,” she shared on social media, illustrating the community’s supportive spirit during this tough time.
With prayers and hope hanging in the air, there’s a profound urgency as the search persists. Time is not on their side, and both friends and family are left anxiously awaiting news. Let’s keep the DeJonge family in our thoughts. Who knows? A miracle can happen, and hopefully, one that reaffirms faith in the power of community.
Sources: Celebrity Storm Wire and People Magazine, AL.com, Fox WALA, CBS WKRG
