Coroner IDs Man In Independence Grove Drowning

LIBERTYVILLE, IL — A man who was pulled from the water at Independence Grove Forest Preserve in Libertyville after he fell off a fishing boat Saturday has been identified as Nicholas Bishop of McCullom Lake, Lake County Coroner Howard Cooper said Monday evening. Preliminary autopsy results show Bishop, 25, died as a result of drowning, according to the news release.

Bishop reportedly went underwater at about 11:45 a.m. on Saturday. His body was recovered about four hours later, authorities said.

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Bishop was fishing with another person on a rented boat on the far northern portion of the forest preserve when he fell into the lake and did not surface, John Tannahill, chief of Rangers for the Lake County Forest Preserve, told the Lake County News-Sun. Sonar equipment was brought to the lake to try and locate the man.

The Libertyville Fire Department as well as divers and personnel, some with specialized equipment, from 20 area fire departments aided in the search, authorities said.

The depth, topography and debris in the water made it hard for emergency personnel to find and remove the man.

More via the Lake County News-Sun

PHOTO VIA SHUTTERSTOCK