Indiana Conservation Officers are investigating the drowning of a Gary man in a LaPorte lake yesterday. Emergency responders were called to Pine Lake at 6:42 p.m.
According to preliminary information obtained by the LaPorte County Sheriff’s Office, the 21-year-old man was at the lake with friends who had rented a pontoon, when they all decided to jump into the lake for a short swim. As they were heading back to the boat, the victim began to struggle, according to the Sheriff’s Office. Officers say two members of the group tried to help him but were being pulled under by the victim. That’s when they decided to call for help.
The LaPorte County Sheriff and Michigan City Police SCUBA teams arrived but couldn’t immediately find the victim near where he was last seen. Later, Conservation Officers arrived with sonar equipment and began a methodical grid search. Using the equipment, they were able to locate the victim’s body shortly after midnight. He was found in about 30 feet of water around 300 feet from shore.
Conservation Officers with the Indiana Department of Natural Resources are investigating.
