Richland Chambers Boating Accident Victim Found

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CORSICANA, Texas — Texas game wardens and volunteers recovered the body of Charles Andrew (Chase) Bergfeld from the waters of Richland Chambers Lake today at approximately 2:15 p.m.

Bergfeld was missing after a boating accident near the U.S. Highway 287 bridge early Saturday morning.

Bergfeld’s body was located by game wardens and volunteer searchers Dennis and Tammy Watters, using side-scan sonar. He was pronounced dead at the scene by a Navarro County justice of the peace.

"Our hearts go out to everyone touched by this tragedy," said Game Warden Capt. Gary Dugan, who has been leading the search effort for the past six days. "We’re going to investigate this accident fully to see what we can learn and perhaps help prevent future tragedies of this nature."

As of Nov. 30, there had been 253 boating accidents in Texas for the year, resulting in 52 fatalities and 158 injuries.

The Texas Parks and Wildlife Department is responsible for enforcing boating safety laws statewide and for performing boating accident investigations on all state waters.

The investigation into the accident is ongoing.