Effingham County, IL-(Effingham Radio)- Lake Sara was the scene of a search for an individual who was swimming, went underwater, and never resurfaced Tuesday.
On October 1, 2024 at 3:20 pm, the Coroner’s Office was notified that two males were swimming across the lake to an Airbnb where they were staying, when one male went under the water and did not resurface. Local Lake Sara residents (Ted Rhodes and his family) were on their pontoon boat in the area and realized something was wrong. They immediately went to assist the lone individual in the water and got him onto their boat. He told them his friend went underwater and he could not hold onto him. They called 911 and requested the Effingham County Dive Team.
Effingham Water Authority, Shumway Fire, Effingham County Sheriff’s Department, Effingham County Dive team and the Illinois Department of Natural Resources responded and attempted to locate the victim until dark.
The Illinois Department of Natural Resources (DNR) arrived this morning with the “towfish” sonar device to resume the search. The body of Kameron Brown, age 29 of Sardis, Ohio was recovered and he was pronounced deceased by Coroner Kim Rhodes at 11:00 am. Dive Team Commander Terry Trueblood advised that Brown’s body was recovered from the center basin of Lake Sara which was 34 feet in depth. Next of kin were notified of his recovery.
An autopsy is scheduled for Thursday morning at the McLean County Coroner’s Office in Bloomington, Illinois to determine the official cause of death and to determine if he suffered a medical emergency while swimming.
The investigation continues by the Effingham County Coroner’s Office and the Effingham County Dive Team.
The Coroner’s office would like to thank all the first responders who assisted at the lake. They did an exceptional job under very difficult circumstances.
Also announced from the Effingham County Coroner’s Office:
On October 1, 2024 at approximately 8:20 pm, the Effingham City Police and Rural Med EMS responded to 1011 S. Cherry St. in Effingham regarding an unresponsive individual. The male was identified as Robert Pendergast, age 65 of Effingham, Illinois. He was pronounced deceased at 8:53 pm by the Coroner’s Office.
Robert Pendergast was transported by the Coroner’s Office to HSHS St. Anthony Morgue, pending arrangements. Preliminary investigation indicated his death was of natural causes.
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