TIPPECANOE RIVER – The victim from Saturday’s incident has been identified as Robert Guinnup, 72, of Monticello. The investigation is ongoing, and an exact cause of death is pending autopsy results.
At approximately 6:13 p.m., Saturday White County Dispatch received a 911 call of a possible drowning that occurred just upstream from the Blue Water access site on the Tippecanoe River.
Witnesses stated they observed Guinnup launch his boat onto the river when it began to take on water. He entered the water to insert his missing drain plug. Guinnup was unable to reboard the boat and attempted to swim to shore.
While swimming, Guinnup disappeared underneath the surface of the water. Bystanders were able to recover him and provide CPR until first responders arrived on the scene.
Guinnup was transported to IU Health White Memorial Hospital where he was pronounced dead. An exact cause of death is pending autopsy results.
Assisting agencies to include White County Emergency Dispatch, Monticello Fire Department, Monticello Police Department, White County Coroner’s Office.
