A rural Mountain Home man drowned late Sunday evening in Lake Norfork after falling from a pontoon boat near a dock. The victim has been identified as 65-year-old Bryan Eugene Russell.
According to the Baxter County Sheriff’s Office, deputies were called to 101 Boat Dock shortly after 9 p.m. Emergency responders, including members of the Gamaliel 101 Fire Department, joined the effort to locate Russell.
Witnesses reported that Russell fell from the rear of the boat as it was pulling into the dock. Another passenger on the boat attempted to rescue him by jumping into the water. Russell's wife informed one of the deputies that her husband was a strong swimmer, but he did not resurface.
The owner of 101 Boat Dock put on dive gear in an attempt to locate Russell but was unsuccessful. A member of the Baxter County Sheriff’s Office dive team, along with assistance from the Northeast Lakeside Fire Department, later located and recovered his body. Russell was found in 17-18 feet of water beneath the dock.
Authorities have not released further details about the incident. An investigation into the circumstances surrounding the drowning is ongoing.