On August 14, 2023 at approximately 4:03PM a 911 call came through to Richland County dispatch in regards to a boating accident. Operator stated that she was operating the watercraft (pontoon) between 10-15 mph while her husband and 11 year old great-granddaughter were on the tube she was towing. 

While tubing, the tow rope broke and the tube disconnected causing both subjects to fall into the water. It was noted that Tuber1 was wearing a life jacket but Tuber2 was not. When Operator noticed what had occurred, Tuber1 was screaming frantically in the water but Tuber2 did not resurface and was not seen again. 

Operator turned the watercraft around and drove over to tuber1 to help her on the boat. Operator was not able to lift her into the boat by herself, so nearby fisherman came and assisted her. Richland County Sheriff Deputy arrived on scene, boarded the boat, and drove Operator and Tuber1 across the lake to their residence while waiting for assisting agencies. 

At approximately 4:10PM I, CPO, was notified of the incident by CPO and arrived on scene at approximately 4:31PM. Upon my arrival, Olney Fire Dept., Olney Police Dept., and Richland County Sheriff''s Dept. were on scene with boats already on the water looking for the missing subject. Shortly after, CPO and Vincennes Dive Rescue Team arrived on scene with boats and sonar imaging to begin scanning the area of interest. CPO''s, Sergeant, and Effingham Dive Rescue team also arrived on scene to assist. 

On August 16, 2023 the search resumed at sunrise.  Jasper County EMA and Robinson Police Department deployed drones and began an aerial search of the lake.  CPOs began searching with the towfish and CPOs searched with side scan sonar.  I arrived on scene at approximately 1:00PM, and I received information that CPO''s had found a target at approximately 11:30am approximately a quarter mile west of the location the incident was reported using the towfish. The Crawford County Dive and Rescue Team were called to dive on the target. At approximately 1:28PM, the dive team arrived on scene and CPO and I escorted them to the marked location. The divers recovered the body a short time later and transported it to the boat ramp. We headed back the boat ramp with the dive team at approximately 2:45PM, where we were met by an ambulance and the Richland County Coroner.

On 08/17/2023 at approximately 8:00AM CPO witnessed the autopsy of Tuber2. There were no signs of physical injury to the body or any internal issues that would have caused the subject to drown other than taking in a large quantity of water.

East Fork Lake
Olney                         