Indiana Conservation Officers Investigate Drowning On St. Joseph River

Last updated on Tuesday, December 26, 2017

(SOUTH BEND) - Indiana Conservation Officers are investigating after a man fell through the ice while fishing on the St. Joseph River in South Bend near Pinhook Park.

St. Joseph County Dispatch received a 911 call about a man through the ice at approximately 2:45 p.m. December 22nd. A park patron made the 911 call after observing the man fall through and disappear under the ice.

Quick response from the St. Joseph County Police had units on scene within two minutes and the area prepared for arriving divers. Divers from South Bend Fire, Clay Fire and Mishawaka Fire searched the river and located 43-year-old Leonard Baldwin, of Dowagiac, MI in 12 feet of water.

The fisherman was transported to South Bend Memorial Hospital where he was pronounced deceased at 4:46 p.m. The identification of the man will be released after the family has been notified.

Indiana Conservation Officers have preliminarily categorized the death as accidental.

Conservation Officers want to remind everyone that ice can be dangerous. Here are a few tips to remember when considering standing on or walking on a frozen body of water:

No ice is safe ice.
At least 4 inches of ice is recommended for safe ice fishing; 5 inches for snowmobiling.
If you don't know....don't go.
Wear lifejackets or flotation coats.
Carry ice hooks and rope gear

Some bodies of water will appear to be frozen solid but actually can have thin ice in several unsuspecting areas. Flowing water, such as rivers and streams, should be avoided when covered by a layer of ice. Water that is surrounded by sand many times freezes with inconsistencies. Wind, waterfowl and beavers can also keep areas of ice thin. Indiana Conservation Officers say the best rule of thumb is for everyone to believe they are "walking on thin ice." Indiana Conservation Officers were assisted by South Bend Fire, Clay Fire, Mishawaka Fire, Saint Joseph County Police, South Bend Police and Roseland Police Departments.

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