Donald PALMER Drowning, 2004

PALMER, COULTER

Posted By: Sharon R Becker (email)
Date: 5/8/2009 at 16:52:07

Thursday, September 16, 2004

SEARCH CONTINUES FOR MISSING BOATER

by Mark SAYLOR, KSIB, Creston, Union County, Iowa

The search resumed this morning for a missing man on a southern Iowa lake. Four diving teams spent much of Wednesday looking for the 24-year-old man who was believed to have drowned at Sun Valley Lake in Ringgold County. He's identified as Donald PALMER of Mapleton. He reportedly tried to swim to shore after his boat ran out of gas. Cadaver dogs were also brought in to search Wednesday but windy conditions hampered their efforts.

Thursday, September 16, 2004

BODY OF DROWNED BOATER RECOVERED AT SUN VALLEY LAKE

by Mark SAYLOR, KSIB, Creston, Union County, Iowa

The body of a boater who drowned in a southwest Iowa lake earlier this week was recovered just before noon today. Afton police chief John COULTER was called in to head up the search at Sun Valley Lake because he's had some experience with water searches. COULTER says the body was found about 40 feet from shore, in about 10 feet of water. COULTER says the lake has a lot of weeds, which made the search more difficult. Authorities released the name of the drowning victim last night. Twenty-four-year-old Donald Paul Lee PALMER of Mapleton was in the area to attend the funeral of a family member and went out on the lake, which is in Ringgold County, near Tingley. The boat he was riding in ran of gas, and PALMER jumped in the lake to swim to shore for help.

"It's a tragedy. It's tragic for everybody that's been involved," COULTER says. The Afton police chief says it should also serve as a reminder to wear a life jacket when you're boating.

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