BUTTE LA ROSE - Louisiana authorities say a 46-year-old man has died in a boating accident near the Atchafalaya Basin Bridge Thursday.

  

The Department of Wildlife and Fisheries says a witness reported that Robert Julien Jr. of Opelousas fell while trying to load his personal watercraft onto a trailer near the Butte La Rose boat launch, and never resurfaced.

  

Department spokesman Adam Einck said in a news release Friday that Julien was reported missing about 5 p.m. Thursday, and his body was pulled from the water about 30 minutes later, without a life jacket.

  

He says the St. Martin Parish Coroner's Office will determine the cause of death.