Conflicting Reports on Condition of Man Pulled From Ohio River
By: Web Producer, Updated by Kayla Moody
Updated: July 13, 2012
UPDATE: According to Evansville Police, the 50 year old man pulled from the Ohio River on Thursday has died. However, someone claiming to be a friend of Charles Rayburn says he remains in the hospital on life support. Officials with Deaconess Hospital say they are not releasing any information.
Investigators say Rayburn was swimming near his family's rented pontoon boat in the area of the LST when he became unresponsive Thursday. He's believed to have suffered some type of heart related emergency.
We are continuing to follow developments on this story.
UPDATE: A man is pulled out of the Ohio River after detectives believe he had a heart related emergency. It happened about 300 yards away from the LST 325.
The victim was given CPR until an ambulance took the man to Deaconess Hospital. At last check investigators said he was in critical condition. Police say the victim is a 50-year-old man with a heart condition. His name is not being released at this time.
Investigators say he and his family rented a pontoon boat to enjoy a day on the Ohio River. Officials say the man was swimming in the river when he became unresponsive. His family called 911, but they were unable to pull him onto their boat. Investigators say the family towed the man behind the boat to a nearby ramp where emergency responders performed CPR.
Witnesses say the family had only been on the water for a short time when the incident happened. "They were really upset. Ladies were in tears and it was a very traumatic experience," says Ron Riecken. "I don't think they'd been out there over an hour. It just happened. It's just, really a shame."
Investigators say the man did not drowned. They say the victim was wearing a life jacket and his head never once went under water.
PREVIOUS REPORT: Emergency workers pull a man from the Ohio River in downtown Evansville late Thursday morning.
Just before noon, crews responded to a person struggling in the water near the LST.
Emergency crews tell Eyewitness News they believe the man may have had a heart attack while swimming in the area with his family. They say family members were unable to pull him onto a pontoon, and called 911 for help. The man was pulled to shore, where paramedics were seen performing CPR.
We have a crew on the scene and will bring you new information as it becomes available.
Investigators say Rayburn was swimming near his family's rented pontoon boat in the area of the LST when he became unresponsive Thursday. He's believed to have suffered some type of heart related emergency.
We are continuing to follow developments on this story.
UPDATE: A man is pulled out of the Ohio River after detectives believe he had a heart related emergency. It happened about 300 yards away from the LST 325.
The victim was given CPR until an ambulance took the man to Deaconess Hospital. At last check investigators said he was in critical condition. Police say the victim is a 50-year-old man with a heart condition. His name is not being released at this time.
Investigators say he and his family rented a pontoon boat to enjoy a day on the Ohio River. Officials say the man was swimming in the river when he became unresponsive. His family called 911, but they were unable to pull him onto their boat. Investigators say the family towed the man behind the boat to a nearby ramp where emergency responders performed CPR.
Witnesses say the family had only been on the water for a short time when the incident happened. "They were really upset. Ladies were in tears and it was a very traumatic experience," says Ron Riecken. "I don't think they'd been out there over an hour. It just happened. It's just, really a shame."
Investigators say the man did not drowned. They say the victim was wearing a life jacket and his head never once went under water.
PREVIOUS REPORT: Emergency workers pull a man from the Ohio River in downtown Evansville late Thursday morning.
Just before noon, crews responded to a person struggling in the water near the LST.
Emergency crews tell Eyewitness News they believe the man may have had a heart attack while swimming in the area with his family. They say family members were unable to pull him onto a pontoon, and called 911 for help. The man was pulled to shore, where paramedics were seen performing CPR.
We have a crew on the scene and will bring you new information as it becomes available.
