Monday, July 6, 2015

Woman dies after she hit her head when she went off a pontoon boat at Pickwick Lake in Alabama





SHEFFIELD, Ala. (WHNT) – 

Sheffield Police and Alabama State Troopers say a woman died after an incident that happened when the Spirit of Freedom Fireworks Festival wrapped up Saturday night.

Emergency crews responded to Riverside Park in Sheffield. Those teams included Florence Police Water Rescue Recovery, Florence Fire, ALEA Marine Police and ALEA Conservation Officers.

Florence Police officers said after a short search a female was found by Conservation Officers floating near the mouth of Cypress Creek. 

Sheffield Police tell WHNT News 19 the woman hit her head when she went off a pontoon boat.

The Colbert County Coroner identified the woman as Marie Franklin, 59.  Marine Police say she was not wearing a personal flotation device.

It is unclear at this time if Franklin jumped or fell from the boat.  Marine Police continue their investigation.