Tuscaloosa police at the Bama Belle Riverboat dock confirmed late Thursday night that a UA student had gone overboard and was still missing earlier in the evening.
“At 9:50 p.m. we received a call that somebody went overboard on the Bama Belle, west of the amphitheater, and units responded,” said Sgt. Brent Blakely with TPD.
“The Tuscaloosa Police Department helicopter responded and the fire department put boats in the water and responded as well,” he said.
The details are still unclear of what happened on the boat, according to police. However, TPD confirmed the student was attending a sorority party when he went overboard, and that alcohol was on the boat at the time. The party was being hosted by Delta Sigma Theta. Blakely said the investigation into the incident is still ongoing.
“Right now we still have our helicopter, the Tuscaloosa County Sheriff’s office helicopter and the fire department is still in the water. Our dive team can’t get out tonight, but, if necessary, at first light our dive team will get out in the water,” Blakely said.
Although police did not identify the UA student, the hashtag “#prayfortre” emerged on Twitter following the incident.