Body pulled from creek after man falls out of canoe

Indiana Conservation Officers and several rescue agencies responded to a call Monday about a man that had fallen into water and was in distress.

Police and water rescue officers responded to Big Monon Creek in the 6300 block of North McKinley Drive just after 11:00 a.m.

Police say 82-year-old Edwin Franklin of Monon had fallen into the water from his canoe and was in distress.

When rescuers were responding to the area, witnesses told them Franklin had eventually gone completely under water and not resurfaced.

Once Monticello Fire Department’s water rescue team arrived, firefighters from Monticello and Monon were able to locate Franklin in the water and get him to shore.

Franklin was pronounced dead at the scene.

Preliminary investigation has determined that Franklin had seen a neighbor’s tent blow into the water. While making an attempt to retrieve the tent, his canoe overturned.

Police say Franklin made an attempt to swim to shore, but began struggling and eventually went under water.

The area he was located in was approximately six to ten feet deep.

Indiana Conservation Officers are conducting the investigation to determine the circumstances involved.

The official cause of death will be determined by the coroner.