A retired school superintendent died Sunday night after falling from a pontoon boat on Lake Norfork. Authorities identified the victim as 65-year-old Bryan Russell.
According to the Baxter County Sheriff’s Office, the incident happened around 9 p.m. as the boat was approaching 101 Boat Dock in Gamaliel. Witnesses reported that Russell fell off the back of the vessel. Another man on board jumped into the lake in an attempt to rescue him, but those efforts were unsuccessful.
Emergency responders, including deputies from the Baxter County Sheriff’s Office and personnel from the Gamaliel 101 Fire Department, were called to the scene. A recovery effort was later conducted by a member of the sheriff’s office dive team, the owner of 101 Boat Dock, and a responder from the Northeast Lakeside Fire Department. They located Russell’s body in 17 to 18 feet of water beneath the dock.
Officials noted that Russell was known to be a capable swimmer.
Russell was remembered for his contributions to education in Arkansas. He graduated from Highland High School, served as a principal at Viola, and retired as the superintendent of Valley View School District.
The Baxter County Sheriff's Office is investigating the incident.