A search that started Wednesday night for a missing boater in Etowah County, ended when the man was found dead just before dawn Thursday.

Sheriff Jonathon Horton stated authorities were notified about 8:45pm, that a boater had not returned home after leaving around noon that day (Wednesday).

By 11:00pm boats with the Etowah County Sheriff’s Office, and members of the Hokes Bluff, Coates Bend and Ball Play fire departments – in addition to the members of the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency were searching an area of the Coosa river close to Appalachian Bridge, between the Hokes Bluff and Coates Bend communities.

The body of Kha Thanh Tran, age 44 of Gadsden – was found in the water just prior to daybreak.  Sheriff Horton said the man’s death appeared to be an accident.

We’ll have additional information as it becomes available.

(AL.COM/www.al.com)