People in the Whitewater Valley are blessed with natural beauty all around them. This draws people to the area to partake in the recreational opportunities this beauty offers. And as such, many of the valley’s residents understand, better than most, the inherent dangers that are also prevalent.
This is a group of press releases from the Indiana Conservation Officers.
Juvenile recovered from Raccoon Lake (Parke County)
The body of a 3-year-old child was recovered Sunday evening, July 26, after going missing near the beach at Raccoon Lake.
At approximately 3:50 p.m., Indiana Conservation Officers were dispatched to the beachfront area of Raccoon Lake in reference to a 3-year-old that had wandered off from his family.
At 4:54 p.m., a visitor located the child in six to seven feet of water just outside of the beach area.
The child was transported to Hendricks Regional Hospital where he was pronounced deceased.
The incident is still under investigation by Indiana Conservation Officers.
Responding agencies include: Indiana Conservation Officers, Parke County Sheriff’s Department, Indiana State Police, Bellmore Fire Department, and Parke County EMS.
ORV accident claims life of Vincennes man
Indiana Conservation Officers are investigating an off-road vehicle (ORV) accident that occurred Friday, July 25, killing a Knox County, Indiana, man.
Knox County Central Dispatch received a 911 call at 11:23 p.m. on July 25th, about an ORV accident on Deer Trail north of Lafferty Road in Vincennes.
An initial investigation showed that a side-by-side ORV driven by William Keith Webb, 56, of Vincennes, was traveling northbound on Deer Trail when it left the gravel drive and overturned. Webb was ejected and pinned beneath the vehicle.
Webb was transported by ambulance to Good Samaritan Hospital where he was pronounced dead. An autopsy will be scheduled early this week. The investigation is still ongoing.
Helmets and protective riding gear were not being worn at the time of the accident. Indiana Conservation Officers recommend using all available safety equipment. For more information on ORV safety, see offroad-ed.com/indiana
Assisting agencies from included Knox County EMS, Vincennes Township Fire Department, Johnson Township Fire Department, Knox County Coroner’s office, Knox County Sheriff’s Office, and Indiana State Police.
Search underway for drowning victim in Ohio River (Clark County)
(Charlestown, Ind.) Indiana Conservation Officers are conducting a search for a drowning victim in the Ohio River near Fourteen Mile Creek in Charlestown.
Around 8:30 p.m. Saturday, July 25, Indiana Conservation Officers, along with units from the Louisville Metro Police Water Patrol, Clark County Sheriff’s Department, and Charlestown Fire Department responded to the call of a person in the water.
Responders utilized various sonar units and boat searches in the area where the victim was last seen. The search continued until late Saturday, and resumed Sunday, July 26.
Bodies found after a search for two people swept away in White River (Lawrence County)
Indiana Conservation Officers are confirming the recovery of two bodies from the White River in Lawrence County.
At approximately 12:14 p.m., July 22, the body of Cung Hu, 38, of Indianapolis, was located approximately 0.5 miles south of the Williams Dam.
At approximately 6:47 p.m., Conservation Officers located the second body, Hrang Mang, 42, of Indianapolis.
Family notifications have been made. This incident is still under investigation.
Background: Indiana Conservation Officers are currently searching for two men who were swept away in the White River near Williams Dam.
Conservation Officers along with members of the Lawrence County Sheriff’s Department responded to the East Fork of the White River just downstream of Williams Dam at approximately 10:00 a.m. this morning. Witnesses reported seeing two males attempting to wade across the main river channel to an island, before being swept away by the current.
Indy man charged with impersonating conservation officer
An Indianapolis man has been charged in Hendricks County with one felony charge of Impersonating a Public Servant/Law Enforcement Officer after a lengthy investigation was conducted by Indiana Conservation Officers.
Tyler Westell, 30, of Indianapolis, turned himself in to the Hendricks County Jail on July 21, before an arrest warrant was served.
The case originated in early November 2019 when a hunter reported to DNR Law Enforcement that they were getting harassing texts and calls from a person claiming to be a high-ranking Indiana Conservation Officer.
Westell was identified as the suspect after search warrants were served pertaining to cellular services and social media accounts, and after investigators were able to listen to ongoing phone calls.
All charges are merely accusations and defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty.
Sources: Media contacts: Indiana Conservation Officer Max Winchell, DNR Law Enforcement. ICO David Moss, DNR Law Enforcement. Indiana Conservation Officer Jim Hash, DNR Law Enforcement.