BERRIEN COUNTY — An Adel man drowned during a fishing trip in a private pond in Berrien County over the weekend.
At about 5:20 p.m. Saturday, Berrien County Sheriff’s Office deputies and Berrien County Search and Rescue personnel were dispatched to the pond located five miles southwest of Alapaha. The person who reported the incident said that he was fishing in a nearby pond when he heard someone yelling for help, according to an incident report.
Berrien County Search and Rescue arrived on the scene approximately 30 minutes after the request for help came in and recovered the body of 48-year-old Oldn Ralph Williams Jr. of Adel in five to 10 minutes, said Berrien County Sheriff Anthony Heath.
Williams had been fishing with his father and his brother-in-law at the time of the incident.
The brother-in-law attempted to rescue Williams, reports stated.
Authorities confirmed that Williams had consumed some alcohol during the day but could neither confirm nor deny whether this contributed to his death.
Heath did, however, mention that Williams was recovered six to eight feet off the bank of the pond in approximately eight feet of water. He said that the victim could reportedly swim.
Heath said Lt. Wayne Luke of the Berrien County Sheriff’s Office conducted a full investigation into the drowning to provide closure for the family and to rule out any crimes. No suspicious activity was reported.
Williams’ drowning has been officially ruled an accident, Heath said.
No one else was injured during the incident.
Local News
Death ruled an accident
Adel man drowns on fishing trip
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