RedactedNarrative: On Sunday, June 29, 2014, at approximately 7:17 PM, Mason County Sheriff''s Dispatch received a 911 call indicating a possible drowning at the Bath Chute. The Mason County Sheriff''s Department, Bath Police Department, Bath Basic Life Support Team, and Illinois Conservation Police responded. 
  
  The investigation determined, two people were passengers in a watercraft being operated on the Illinois River - Bath Chute. According to witness statements, Operator''s boat was drifting downstream, with other boats, approximately 200 yards southwest of the Bath boat launch when Passenger1 went overboard. Four of five witnesses interviewed could not provide a clear description of, or definitive reason for, PASSENGER1 falling overboard. One witness, Witness1, claimed he had a clear view of the accident. Witness1 said he was alone in his boat, drifting down the Bath Chute within “10 feet” of Operator''s boat, when PASSENGER1 fell overboard. According to Witness1, Operator was seated at the helm with Passenger2 to his left and PASSENGER1 near the mid-portion of Operator''s boat. He [Witness1] claimed his boat was positioned alongside the portside of Operator''s vessel. Witness1 alleged he was talking to PASSENGER1 immediately prior to PASSENGER1 falling in. PASSENGER1 had been complaining about Asian carp getting in Operator''s boat while they were boating earlier in the day. He said PASSENGER1 stood up, leaned over the portside gunwhale of Operator''s boat, and was washing his hands when he entered the water. Witness1 recalled PASSENGER1 leaning on the portside gunwhale with his left hand and reaching into the water with his right. He was of the opinion PASSENGER1''s hands were wet which led to his left hand slipping off the gunwhale and PASSENGER1 falling overboard. He described PASSENGER1 falling “fast, face first into the water like he lost his balance”. Witness1 said PASSENGER1 grabbed onto Operator''s boat as soon as he hit the water. Immediately afterward, Passenger2 and Operator pulled PASSENGER1 back into the boat. Witness1 stated, “He [PASSENGER1] wasn''t in the water 3 seconds”. Passenger1 had difficulty breathing and lost consciousness. CPR was started and EMS was called to the scene. 
  
  Passenger1 was transported from the scene by the Mason County Ambulance service to Mason District Hospital, Havanna, IL, where he was pronounced dead. 
  
  Investigative interviews, coupled with the preliminary autopsy report, document PASSENGER1 had a significant negative health history which included a tracheostomy from a bout with cancer. It is likely PASSENGER1''s poor physical health, and tracheostomy, contributed to the accident and his death.