INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) — Divers at Eagle Creek Reservoir are set to resume their search for a man who fell from a paddleboat Wednesday afternoon.
Divers are expected to be back in the water around 8:30 Thursday morning.
According to authorities, a man and a woman, both 21 years old, rented a paddleboat at Eagle Creek Reservoir on the city’s northwest side.
Authorities say the pair were paddleboating when a storm created windy conditions and the man went overboard. He was not wearing a life jacket when he fell off the boat. The woman attempted to rescue the man but was unable to grab him.
Firefighters said other people held onto her unto the rescue boat brought her back to land. She was taken to a hospital where she was listed as stable.
“If you get out, you have to plan for the weather, think about how far away you are from shore and what could happen,” said Steve Mitchell, deputy chief of operations with the Pike Township Fire Department. “A lot of people don’t understand these small boats, if the waves get up to 2-3 feet, it’s going to swamp you. If you’re not a good swimmer, the most important thing to know is that you need to wear your life jacket.”
Authorities said the paddleboat business requires renters to wear a life jacket when they take off into the water but it’s up to the individual what they do after that.
Divers were called to the area around 3:45 p.m. Wednesday. They suspended their search shortly after 8 p.m.Wednesday.
