LAKE JAMES, IN (WTVB) – An Illinois man lost in his life in a possible drowning on Thursday afternoon in Lake James near the Potawatami Inn at Pokagon State Park.
Indiana Conservation Officers say the victim was 61-year-old Rocky R. Rutledge of Romeoville, Illinois.
Conservation Officers say Steuben County Communications received a 911 call at about 1:00 p.m. of a swimmer who had gone under the water in the area of the Lake James sandbar.
WANE-TV reports Rutledge was at the sand bar with his family when his pontoon broke free. He went to swim after the boat but went under the water.
A bystander went into the water to help Rutledge. He was recovered in about 10 feet of water and transported to shore but Rutledge was pronounced dead at the scene.
Conservation Officers were assisted on the scene by the Angola and Fremont Fire Departments, the Steuben County Sheriff’s Department, Parkview Samaritan, Steuben County EMS, Pokagon Park Staff and the Indiana State Police.
