Indiana Conservation Officers are investigating an incident in which two anglers fell through the ice on Elk Creek Lake in southern Gibson Township in eastern Washington County Wednesday afternoon.
First responders learned that shortly after 4 p.m. on Jan. 29, Jasper Combs, 76, of Crothersville, was approximately 100 feet from the shore when he fell through the ice.
A nearby angler, Bernard Broadus, 67, of Georgetown, heard Combs call for help and attempted to rescue him, and also fell through the ice. Broadus was able to rescue himself after approximately 5 minutes in the water.
Other anglers in the area called 911. Multiple agencies responded, including the Brownstown Fire Department, Washington County Sheriff’s Department, Gibson Township Fire Department, and Indiana Conservation Officers.
Washington County Sheriff Deputy Matt Hein and Gibson Township firefighter Andrew Mull threw a rope to Combs and pulled him from the water after he had been in the water clinging to the ice for nearly 45 minutes.
Both Broadus and Combs were flown to University of Louisville Hospital for treatment, and both are expected to make a full recovery.
Indiana Conservation Officers strongly encourage the use of life jackets while participating in activities on or near the water.