Alabama man still missing after a father and child were rescued from boating accident

Search efforts continue two days after a man went missing following a boat accident in south Alabama.

The missing individual was identified by family as John Dejonge.

According to the Spanish Fort Police Department, a boat capsized on Blakely River at about 6 on Friday. On board were Dejonge, another man and his 2-year-old child.

The department stated that all three were thrown into the water after the boat capsized. While the child and his father were able to make it to shore, Dejonge remained missing.

Due to severe weather Saturday night the search for Dejonge was halted until rescue crews reconvened Sunday morning.

According to Fox10 News, Spanish Fort Police Chief John Barber iterated how severe the winds were Sunday evening.

“Before the storms arrived, there were high winds,” Barber said. “We were talking to the individual who was in the boat when they capsized and he described how windy it was, and so the search and rescue operations last night had to deal with high wind and high waves.”

Despite crews searching all day Sunday, Dejonge has not been found yet.

The Alabama Law Enforcement Agency is assisting in rescue efforts and crews will be out searching Monday.

Agencies that have helped in rescue efforts include ALEA, Spanish Fort Police Department, Daphne Search and Rescue, Daphne Fire Department, North Baldwin Search and Rescue, White House Fork Fire Department Search and Rescue, Spanish Fort Fire Rescue, Medstar and Alabama Marine Resources.

ALEA said additional information regarding the search was not available currently.

John’s sister, Alysia Dejonge, posted on Facebook asking for those who want to help to search for her brother meet at Meaher State Park on Monday morning.

The Alabama Law Enforcement Agency is assisting in rescue efforts and crews will be out searching Monday.

“For anyone who has a boat and wants to help us search we will be at Meaher state park,” Alysia said.

“We will be there around 10:30-11ish. I need to know what kind of boats you have. How many people. And EVERYONE has to wear a life jacket. Feel free to message me with any questions. We appreciate all of you who have checked on us and thank you for the prayers.”