Fisherman drowned after falling from boat, DNR says

Staff Report

Ed. Note: This story is developing.

WEDNESDAY, 2:11 p.m. –– A fisherman drowned after falling out of his boat on Tuesday night, the Iowa Department of Natural Resources reported in a Wednesday press release.

The DNR is not yet naming the man pending notification of family members. He had his small boat anchored just above a low-head dam on the Cedar River when he apparently fell out and went over the dam shortly after 7 p.m.

The man was pulled from the river downstream of the dam by the Charles City Fire and Rescue and was taken to Floyd County Medical Center, where he was pronounced dead. Also assisting at the scene were the Charles City Police Department and Floyd County Sheriff’s Department.

TUESDAY –– A body was found in Cedar River Tuesday night, likely the first drowning of the year in Charles City, and second since July 4.

At roughly 7 p.m., first responders were gathered at the boat launch under the Brantingham Street bridge. A search and rescue watercraft came ashore after trolling downstream of the launch.

Police and rescue personnel did not comment on the operation, saying more details would be released in an upcoming press release.

But according to one witness who was out trekking the riverfront bike and hiking trail, a body was found face-down in the water.

Other bystanders were at the scene. Some were toting cameras.

An abandoned small craft was moored upstream, but it hasn’t been disclosed that the victim came from it.

Charles City had one recorded drowning in 2015. On July 4, Steven John Daykin, 63, of Dubuque was tubing on the Cedar River with his wife. After falling off his tube and calling for help, Daykin was later pulled to shore and given CPR, but could not be revived.