Search Continues For Missing Man After Boat Capsizes in Alabama River

SPANISH FORT, Ala.
By Dale Hines
February 17, 2025

A search is entering its third day along the Causeway in Spanish Fort after a 40-year-old man went missing after his boat capsized in the Blakely River on Saturday night.

The man has been identified as John Dejonge by his brother David.

Dejonge and another man and a small child launched their boat around 6 p.m. and the incident occurred shortly afterwards about a half mile north of the Causeway.

The second man and his 2-year-old son, who were also on the boat, managed to reach the shore safely. They swam in 64-degree waters, using the overturned boat to stay afloat.

Spanish Fort Police Chief John Barber said the boat was experiencing motor issues before it overturned.

“While they were working on the engine, the boat capsized,” Barber said. “All three of the individuals ended up in the water. The 2-year-old and the 2-year-old’s father were able to get to the boat and use the boat as a flotation. Their friend, who was an adult male, at some point went missing in the water. The 2-year-old and the father were able to make it back to shore swimming with the boat as a flotation and made it to the Causeway where they waved down help.”

Nearly a dozen local and state agencies are involved in the search, with the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency (ALEA) leading the efforts.

The 2-year-old was taken to the hospital.
Chief Barber said his core body temperature was low when the first responders arrived, but the child is expected to be okay.

As strong storms moved into the area on Saturday night, the search was canceled for safety reasons.

Searchers were back on Sunday and are expected to return again on Monday morning.

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