Fisherman Found Floating In Lake Erie Dies

MONROE (WWJ) - Authorities say a fisherman pulled from Lake Erie in Monroe County has died.

The U.S. Coast Guard said the incident happened Tuesday morning after the man had set out on the lake to go fishing with a friend in two different boats. At some point, the men got separated.

When the friend finally arrived at the fishing hole, about a quarter-mile from Bolles Harbor in Monroe, he found the man's boat unoccupied and called 911.

The Coast Guard immediately responded to the scene and found the man floating face down in about 10 feet of water. He was wearing a life jacket, authorities said, but was unresponsive when pulled from the water.

The man was rushed to a nearby hospital where he was later pronounced dead. His name was not immediately released, although reports identify him as an 80-year-old Royal Oak man.

Investigators say the death appears to be accidental in nature, and foul play is not believed to be involved. However, a cause of death has not yet been determine; it's not known if the man suffered a health event or if he fell overboard.

An investigation is ongoing.