PRESS RELEASE
To: NEWSROOM
For Immediate Release
Contact: Asst. Chief Brian Crawford: 673-6652 or cell: 455-2609

June 1, 2007 - Couple Spends Night in Water after Boat Capsizes

Boat takes on water and eventually sinks

Shreveport firefighters and paramedics were called to the Cross Lake Patrol station this morning just after 7 a.m. to medically check out a couple who had spent the night in the waters of the lake after their boat capsized. Eddie Cramer, 57, and his wife, Carla Cramer, 52, of Shreveport reported that they set out to night fish about 10 p.m. Thursday night on Cross Lake when they experienced their boat taking water and eventually sinking and flipping.

The couple remained in the water all night clinging to the boat until another boater, Ray Oaks, spotted them around 6:40 a.m. Oaks said that he was heading out of the Squirrel Point area of the lake when he saw the couple in the water. “They were both waiving their arms and a life jacket,” said Oaks. Oaks got both out of the water, called 911 and transported them to the patrol station.

Fire Department paramedics evaluated the pair, who were in good shape considering their ordeal. Both were visibly shaken because of the experience but had no major injuries. Hypothermia was the primary concern of firefighters but the overnight air temperatures were warm enough to offset the cold of the water. Carla Cramer had remained on the boat most of the night while Eddie Cramer was in and out of the water keeping the boat stabilized. After tending to a few scrapes and bruises, the couple was transported to Schumpert Medical Center for further evaluation.

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