The Missouri State Highway Patrol reports it’s first boating fatality of 2025 in Troop E. The incident occurred around 9:30pm on Tuesday night, on a private pond near County Road 465 in Butler County. The accident happened as a 2005 Weldcraft vessel, being operated by a 16 year-old juvenile, was pulling a juvenile occupant on a tube when the occupant was ejected and struck a partially submerged log in the pond. The occupant, a 16 year-old boy from Poplar Bluff, was transported via ambulance to Poplar Bluff Regional Medical Center then airlifted to region one medical in Memphis, TN. The occupant was unfortunately pronounced at Region One Medical early yesterday morning. Neither individual was wearing a life jacket. This is Troop E Boating fatality #1 for 2025.