
The Indiana Department of Natural Resources said at around 11 a.m., a conservation officer was sent to the Marina Shores Marina after two men went into the water and were reportedly electrocuted. One of the men went under and was not immediately recovered.
The investigation revealed an object that belonged to a boat owner fell into the water from the dock and began floating away, according to investigators.
Authorities said 21-year-old Gabriel Gonzalez and his brother, 23-year-old Francis Gonzalez, were nearby and saw the object. That’s when Gabriel voluntarily went into the water to retrieve the object for its owner.
After retrieving the object, authorities said Gabriel swam toward the dock and appeared to have entered a field of electricity before going under water.
Francis saw Gabriel go under and immediately went into the water to try and help. As he swam toward the area, he was “affected by the electrified area” but remained on the surface, according to investigators.
A Good Samaritan was nearby and threw a flotation device to Francis before pulling him to safety. Officials said Francis was taken to a nearby hospital for treatment and later released.
Once officials determined the water to be safe, divers from the Portage Fire Department went in and recovered Gabriel. He was taken to a nearby hospital where he was later pronounced dead.
Authorities said investigators and a licensed electrician determined the likely source of the electricity in the water was from a piece of equipment belonging to a nearby slip holder.
Officials checked all docks at the marina for electrical current in the water and no additional electrical fields were found.
Authorities listed Gabriel’s preliminary cause of death as drowning secondary to electrocution and the manner of death was accidental.
The Indiana Department of Natural Resources urges the public to never enter the water near any dock with electric power.
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