Alabama: 1 missing after boat sinks on the Mobile River

At approximately 1:00 a.m. on Thursday, March 4, State Troopers from ALEA’s Marine Patrol Division responded to the report of a vessel sunk in Mobile River at Barry Steam Plant.

A 14’ boat operated by Robert Leslie Ellison, 32, struck an object in the river and ejected Ellison and his passenger, Tasha Nicole Wood, according to the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency. Wood was able to swim to the shoreline but Ellison disappeared. Neither was wearing a Personal Flotation Device (PFD) although several were in the boat.

Mobile County Sheriff’s Office arrived at the scene and launched a drone which was able to search both banks of the river. State Troopers were able to locate the vessel on the east side of Mobile River about ¼ mile downstream.

Mobile County Sheriff’s Office arrived at the scene and launched a drone which was able to search both banks of the river. State Troopers were able to locate the vessel on the east side of Mobile River about ¼ mile downstream. Troopers were also able to locate the couple’s dog and returned him to family members.

Mobile County Sheriff’s Flotilla began a search for Ellison shortly after daylight. He was last seen wearing rubber boots, blue jeans, a Carhart jacket, and a Carhart shirt.