SNOW LAKE — A Snow Lake man died while ice fishing on Monday on the North Snow Bay area of the lake, but details concerning the death have been difficult to come by.
At about 5 p.m. Monday, Steuben County Communications received an emergency call concerning Lance Lennen, 19, who was fishing on the lake, who had fallen to the ice.
Steuben County Sheriff R.J. Robinson said when two deputies arrived they found Lennen unresponsive on the lake with a faint pulse but not breathing and started performing life-saving procedures.
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"He stopped breathing and ... so we started CPR," Robinson said.
Fremont Fire Rescue and Steuben County Emergency Medical Service arrived on the scene and took over for the deputies. Lennen was taken to Cameron Memorial Community Hospital for treatment where he was later pronounced deceased.
An autopsy has been performed but no results are yet available. Coroner Bill Harter ruled out foul play. The death was not due to drowning, said officials said.
Based on information contained in his obituary that was published Thursday, Lennen died while doing what he loved, being outdoors.
"Lance was always drawn to the outdoors. He was a natural athlete, with a particular affinity for baseball, and as an avid hunter and fisherman, he spent every spare moment he had on the lake or in the woods. He so loved being outside, that he couldn’t stand working indoors. Jobs he enjoyed were always outside, allowing for him to make use of his vibrant, energetic personality and strength. Lance was most recently employed with Your Guy Tree Service, of Fremont," part of the obituary read.
Lennen was born in Indianapolis and went to school at Fremont Community Schools before graduating from high school at Prairie Heights last year.
Beams Funeral Home, Fremont, is handling funeral arrangements. Calling hours will be from 4-8 p.m. today at Beams and one our before services at 2 p.m. Saturday at Beams, with the Rev. John Boyanowski officiating.
saw1
Loc: nor cal Windsor
So sorry to hear such a tragedy befall someone so young, with their whole life nearly left before them. Our prayers are with the family.
Ivey
Loc: South Central Tennessee, Tim's Ford Lake
Very sad story, If he fell in and managed to get out he still was in a bad situation. I've fell in 40* water and the only thing that saved me was I thought to heck with the boat and swam to the bank, about 20 yards. By the time I got there I was completely exhausted, don't think I could have gone much further. Big mistake to try and get back in the boat in water that cold, leave it and get to the bank. Someone will come along sooner or later and help Always keep a bic lighter in your pocket they will light even when wet.
Too bad, feel bad for his parents
SORRY TO HEAR THAT, ESPECIALLY AT SUCH A YOUNG AGE...THE WATER GIVETH AND IT TAKETH...I'VE MADE IT TO 69 AND I THINK BACK ABOUT SEVERAL INCIDENTS WHERE I OR A FRIEND COULD HAVE DROWNED!!
NO FISH IS WORTH DYING OVER...TAKE ALL THE NEEDED PRECAUTIONS AND STAY SAFE OUT THERE FELLOW FISHERMAN!!
Ivey
I am not trying to be confrontational young man, but you were extremely lucky trying to swim to shore. EVERYTHING you read will tell you to stay with boat. You yourself said it was only 20 yards and almost didn't make it. 20 yards is not that far. That should have told you something right there. Just to put it in easy to understand numbers. In 50 degree water after 50 mins you only stand a 50% chance at making it. If a person is going to fish in cold weather there are two things that is a must. #1-some type of device to get back in boat. #2 always wear your PSD. We have a very dangerous lake here in central Indiana that gets fishermen and duck hunters. In the several years it has been open at least 5 or 6 deaths. Most if not all left the boat that had swamped and tried to make it to shore. None did. Not trying to sound like dooms day, but just one person heeds the warning and makes it. It will be worth while.
Thanks for listening to and old man rant.
Ivey
Loc: South Central Tennessee, Tim's Ford Lake
Billy Bob, chances are you are right on all you've said here but I've personally known 2 men that drowned. Both were trying to get back in the boat. One was right by a dock he could have easily swam around the boat and been out of the water but witnesses saw him trying to climb a ladder back into his boat, the short ones on the back of the boat. Personally if I'm close to the shore I would always take the chance to swim for it, I'm a better swimmer than a climber. The quicker you get out the better chance of surviving you've got. In my lifetime I've fell out of a boat twice and without someone else there getting back in is tough. I'll agree everyone needs to wear a PFD while fishing in cooler weather, I don't always but this is my stupidity. Thanks for your advice and everyone should have a plan just in case something like this happens to you.
Ivey wrote:
Billy Bob, chances are you are right on all you've said here but I've personally known 2 men that drowned. Both were trying to get back in the boat. One was right by a dock he could have easily swam around the boat and been out of the water but witnesses saw him trying to climb a ladder back into his boat, the short ones on the back of the boat. Personally if I'm close to the shore I would always take the chance to swim for it, I'm a better swimmer than a climber. The quicker you get out the better chance of surviving you've got. In my lifetime I've fell out of a boat twice and without someone else there getting back in is tough. I'll agree everyone needs to wear a PFD while fishing in cooler weather, I don't always but this is my stupidity. Thanks for your advice and everyone should have a plan just in case something like this happens to you.
Billy Bob, chances are you are right on all you've... (
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I fully understand. Just be careful and be positive you can make it. So many ways to die, just don't want to see anyone go that could have been avoided. Safe fishing and stay in the boat.
Ivey
Loc: South Central Tennessee, Tim's Ford Lake
Hope I've had my last fall out of the boat but you never know, I've been looking at the Mustang suits. Got a good friend who has one and they serve two needs they keep you warm in the coldest weather and are coast guard approved flotation device.
Ivey wrote:
Hope I've had my last fall out of the boat but you never know, I've been looking at the Mustang suits. Got a good friend who has one and they serve two needs they keep you warm in the coldest weather and are coast guard approved flotation device.
Never heard of a Mustang suit. Fish tournaments a lot and they start in very early spring.
Thanks
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