Tragic death should serve as a wake up call

By Staff
A tragic death in Red Bay this week should serve as a reminder of how important it is to exercise caution around the water.
Johnny Ward, 62, of 100 Pearson Road in Red Bay, was found in the waters of Bear Creek Canal just after midnight Wednesday. The canal crosses Alabama 11, just north of Red Bay.
While the investigation is ongoing, investigators said they feel like this was just an accident.
Mr. Ward has probably fished along those banks hundreds of times. He probably knew every pebble, every blade of grass and every rabbit hole along the way. But, sometimes, that just doesn't matter.
Whatever happened, exactly what we may never know, Mr. Ward is no longer with us.
As temperatures continue to rise, many of us will grab our rods and reels and head out on local lakes and ponds. Some on boats, others on the banks.
In either case, it's important to exercise extreme caution.
It may be an old throwback to our childhood, but the buddy system is important. There's someone there to help you in the event of the unexpected.
We urge each of you to enjoy this seasonably warm weather but ask that you do so with caution.