UPDATE: Fishing Equipment Found On Pond
UPDATE: Indiana Conservation Officers recovered the body of Dustin Reaker, 29, Bremen, from the Leesburg Quarry
Sunday around 7 p.m. The investigation revealed that Dustin Reaker and Allen Stattler, 41, Dowagiac, Mich., possibly went ice fishing Friday night and never returned.
Stattler is still missing. Indiana Conservation officers will resume the search today.
LEESBURG — Indiana Conservation Officers and Kosciusko County Sheriff’s Department Dive Team members are gathering at the Phend and Brown Gravel Pit off CR 600N where fishing equipment was found on the ice covered pond. The location is on private property.
North Webster Fire Department and Leesburg Fire Department have been called for their “sleds” and Turkey Creek Fire Territory has been called for the air boat. Because of the fading daylight, only the air boat has been called to make an emergency run to the scene.
A release just received by the Indiana Department of Natural Resources, District 1 headquarters states Indiana Conservation Officers are currently conducting a search and recovery operation at a rock quarry near 76 W 600 North.
Witnesses found ice fishing equipment on the ice next to a large hole. A second witness stated the fishing equipment had been out there all day. Indiana Conservation Officer responded to the scene and located evidence that someone had fallen through.
The Indiana Conservation Officers Dive team is on scene and is currently conducting an underwater search and recovery operation. ICOs are being assisted by the Kosciusko County Sheriff’s Department and several area fire departments.
An investigation is ongoing by ICOs and as it progresses updates will follow.