VICKSBURG, Miss. (WLBT) – The body of a 36-year-old man was recovered Wednesday morning from the Yazoo Diversion Canal at City Front following an overnight search.

Around 11:00 p.m. on Tuesday, officers with the Vicksburg Police Department responded to 1 City Waterfront after receiving reports that an individual had entered the Mississippi River and did not return.

The individual has been identified as Demetrious Gibson, 36, of Port Gibson, Mississippi.

Witnesses said the man was enjoying the evening with a friend when someone challenged him to go into the water.

Despite reportedly not knowing how to swim, the man removed his clothing and entered the canal. He briefly came back out, but disappeared after entering a second time.

Dive teams from the Vicksburg Fire Department and the Warren County Sheriff’s Office conducted an underwater search, and Gibson was recovered from the Mississippi River around 5 a.m. on Wednesday, August 5.

The Vicksburg Police Department was assisted at the scene by the Vicksburg Fire Department, the Warren County Sheriff’s Office, and personnel from Ergon.

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