Retired Mobilian Died Boating In Daphne

A small boat was found in Mobile Bay this morning without anyone in it.

“Well the boat was going around in circles it was still running and then the body was located not far from the boat,” says Daphne Police Chief David Carpenter. The body of 68-year-old Johnny Ethridge of Mobile was found about 7:30 this morning, 3/12/10. Family members say he left Scott's Landing on the causeway about an hour before that. Authorities say, while the boat was found with a lifejacket in it, he wasn’t wearing one when he was found. The Daphne Fire Department and other agencies wrapped up their search quickly thanks to help from a neighbor that saw the unmanned boat.

“The local citizen was able to secure the boat quickly and we were able to respond in a fast manner,” says Tom Walker with the Daphne Fire Department. Police say Ethridge was the only one in the boat.

“It appears the subject may have fell, bumped his head we don't know if he had any medical conditions before that he did have a bump on his head, investigation is continuing,” says Police Chief Carpenter. An autopsy will determine the cause of death.