KOSCIUSKO COUNTY — A male swimming in Lake Wawasee survived a near drowning, while authorities are investigating the cause of a North Webster woman’s death in James Lake, North Webster, Sunday afternoon, Aug. 19.
An autopsy will be conducted Tuesday morning on Michelle E. Moore, 56, East Epworth Forest Road, North Webster, to determine the cause of her death.
Authorities were notified at 3:46 p.m. of a possible drowning near the sandbar on James Lake. When an officer with the Kosciusko County Sheriff’s Department arrived, he found North Webster Fire Department personnel were performing life saving measures on the female on shore at Camp Crosley YMCA, 201 EMS T1 Lane, until a North Webster paramedic pronounced Moore dead at the scene.
The officer spoke with James D. Heath, boyfriend of the victim. He stated they were out on the boat for the afternoon and his son and his girlfriend were also on the boat. Because of Heath being distraught, he was unable to tell authorities much of what happened, but was able to tell authorities she was on antibiotics for a cough she had suffered from for about a week.
A witness, Josephine Binette, St. John, was able to tell police what little she observed. Binnette stated she observed Moore swimming near the back of the boat and appeared OK, when she looked again it appeared Moore may have been struggling and was making her way to shore as if something was wrong. Binette told police within about five minutes of seeing Moore swimming, she was “floating” near shore on her side with her face in the water. Several people rushed to help Moore, pulling her to shore. A nurse who was nearby began CPR until emergency responders arrived.
The incident has been turned over to the Indiana Conservation Office and the Kosciusko County Coroner’s Office.
Near Drowning At Wawasee
Turkey Creek Fire Territory was called at 2:10 p.m. Sunday to the Wawasee Family Fishing Area for a possible drowning.
According to Indiana Conservation Officer Ashley Jackson the adult male victim was conscious and alert when officials arrived. The victim was transported to Goshen Hospital where he was checked medically and released.
No report on the incident was available.