By Rich Wicks | Times Vedette
Authorities are investigating an apparent drowning that happened Saturday in southeastern Guthrie County. At approximately 4:40 p.m. on Saturday, Aug. 23, Stuart Fire and Stuart Rescue were called to Diamondhead Lake for a possible drowning of a 35-year-old male swimmer. The Midwest Regional Dive Team was also called to the scene. Fire crews secured the scene and used local boat owners and underwater sonar to locate the victim.
Witnesses stated they had seen a man swimming beyond the designated swimming area, and he appeared to be struggling. The witnesses saw the man go underwater and said he did not resurface. The witnesses called 911.
The Midwest Regional Dive team arrived on scene at 6:25 p.m., and, at 7:47 p.m., they located the body in the area where witnesses last spotted him. At 8:09 p.m., the victim’s body was recovered and transferred to the care of Stuart Rescue. The body was then transported to the State Medical Examiner’s Office.
The family of the deceased victim has been notified and has asked that his identity not be publicly released at this time.
Other agencies participating on the scene included the Stuart Police, the Adair and Guthrie County Emergency Management, the Audubon County Emergency Management, and the Iowa Department of Natural Resources.