The Pope County Sheriff’s Office announced in a news release on Friday afternoon (Aug. 8) that a man was swallowed inside Lake Dardanelle by some kind of beast a quarter of a mile from the shore by Lake Front Drive.
The victim, who was not identified due to the lack of recovered evidence, was fishing on the lake at approximately 5 a.m. on Friday morning when something pulled him out of his boat and ate him, the release states.
The witnesses, another fisherman and his wife, described the scene of terror to Rock City Times as something devoured their brief neighbor. They said they were roughly 45 yards from the victim, and it was foggy, so, they didn’t get a good look at the beast.
“After a polygraph test, we have discovered the witnesses are telling the truth,” said Pope County Sheriff Aaron Duvall.
Staff at the Lake Dardanelle State Park Visitor’s Center were baffled by the news. The park was immediately closed, and they could offer little explanation as to what in Lake Dardanelle could eat an entire person.
“I have no idea what got the man, but I can sympathize with his family for wanting answers,” said Park Manager Rebecca Valentine. “The only animal I can imagine in the lake that grows big enough to eat a man would be a catfish that just sat in a deep area and grew to enormous size.”
Authorities said they are considering every scenario, including the possibility of a “mutated snake radiated by Arkansas Nuclear One.”
Lake Dardanelle was created by the completion of the Dardanelle Dam in 1965, according to the Encyclopedia of Arkansas History and Culture.
Local historians say the area flooded by the creation of Lake Dardanelle consists of many old houses, former farm land and even abandoned mine shafts, all good places to hide underwater for an unknown creature.
Some local religious leaders believe that it is a sign. They claim that, like Jonah, the man will resurface in three days. Those same leaders have said they interpret the sign as a signal of God’s frustration that an Islamic center is being constructed in Russellville.
Deputies are patrolling the lake but have so far been unable to locate anything related to the beast, according to the release.
“We can’t close down the entire lake, but we do encourage any fisherman to think twice before going out onto the water,” said Duvall.
City leaders are set to meet in an emergency planning session scheduled for Aug. 11 at 8 p.m. The meeting is not open to the public, according to Russellville Mayor Bill Eaton.
While the beast has no official name, Eaton has referred to it simply as “Dardan” on multiple occasions.
35 Comments
Nice picture. Did you ask the photographer’s permission before using it?
Nice picture. Did you ask the photographer’s permission before using it?
Yep.. they done told me it was a Giant Sea Ell that found it’s way thru the ‘lock’ system… varmint been eating a lot of Deer also..
Yep.. they done told me it was a Giant Sea Ell that found it’s way thru the ‘lock’ system… varmint been eating a lot of Deer also..
Someone must be on some good drugs
Someone must be on some good drugs
Sounds like a hoax to me!!
You’re gonna need a bigger boat.
You’re gonna need a bigger boat.
Lmao how come Saturday morning I did not see 1 boat out there looking for this man or this beast? First of all at 5 am it’s pitch black dark and you can’t see 10 ft much less Lmao how come Saturday morning I did not see 1 boat out there looking for this man or this beast? First of all at 5 am it’s pitch black dark and you can’t see 10 ft much less
Lmao how come Saturday morning I did not see 1 boat out there looking for this man or this beast? First of all at 5 am it’s pitch black dark and you can’t see 10 ft much less Lmao how come Saturday morning I did not see 1 boat out there looking for this man or this beast? First of all at 5 am it’s pitch black dark and you can’t see 10 ft much less
45 yards in the fog!!!
45 yards in the fog!!!
Looks like I got a new target for bowfishing hahap
Looks like I got a new target for bowfishing hahap
Looks like I got a new target for bowfishing hahap
OMG!! I was fixin to get my butt up outta here!! lol…now..
OMG!! I was fixin to get my butt up outta here!! lol…now..
Alligator or Burmese python that has found its way this far north, if there is any substance to this story. I didn’t notice any names, did I? That makes the story even more suspect.
My first question to the fisherman and his wife would be ” have you reciently returned from a fishing trip to Colorado ??
I caught a 72 lb bass near that very same area once…
I bet they are filming a new episode for Swamp People and it’ll be a giant alligator! LOL
I bet they are filming a new episode for Swamp People and it’ll be a giant alligator! LOL
I think it’s funny as hell people believe this!!!!
I think it’s funny as hell people believe this!!!!
Its nessy
Its nessy
duvalls not sheriff so another clue to say hoax
duvalls not sheriff so another clue to say hoax
I just hope the fisherman in the story was that worthless turd Tom Cotton and came back for Mark Pryor for 2nds, to quote South Park all elections are between a “douche and a turd sandwich”
Scroll down to the very bottom…. yeah, right there on the right in the shaded area… what’s that say? “The content on here is presented as fictional news with an intent for humor.” SMH here boss!
Somebody needs to tell Obama to fish there! LMAO!!!!!!!!!
Rest in Peace Chad Carter. You will be missed. Angie Lensing Carter we are here for you in this time of need.
I’ve heard stores like this one all my life from my grandfather
Did the beast do us a favor and eat Tom Cotton?