I don't think there was anything that could have been done in this case. But it just brings home the fact that we all need to be careful at our tournaments. (Like the one coming up Sunday)
This is tragic. I pray it does not happen to us. Please be careful out there.
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Man who drowned in Rend Lake identified
BY BECKY MALKOVICH, The Southern
Thursday, August 27, 2009 10:09 AM CDT
FRANKLIN COUNTY -- A fishing excursion turned tragic last night when a Bonnie man apparently drown after falling off a boat into Rend Lake.
The body of Jason Todd Thomas, 35, was recovered by the Rend Lake Search and Rescue Dive Team in about 8 feet of water at 10:32 p.m., Franklin County Sheriff's Department Captain Don Jones said.
The sheriff's department received a 911 call at 7:58 p.m. reporting that Thomas, who was fishing in a bass tournament with another man, fell off a boat.
The other man made repeated attempts to pull Thomas from the water but was unsuccessful, Jones said.
Thomas' death is believed an accidental drowning pending the results of an autopsy, Jones said.
"An autopsy will be conducted because of the age of the victim," Jones said. "It is possible that he experienced some sort of health episode prior to falling in the water."
Jones said there was no evidence that alcohol was involved.
Also assisting in the effort were personnel with the Sesser Fire Protection District, Franklin County Emergency Management Agency, U.S.
Army Corps of Engineers at Rend Lake and Cardinal EMS. The city of Du Quoin provided a mobile command unit for the operation.
Don't let this be us...
