Man dies in Muncie ice-fishing accident

MUNCIE – A Madison County fisherman died Friday after he fell through ice on a small lake along the Muncie Bypass, near the Ind. 67-N exit.

Relatives told investigators that 70-year-old Dorsel Goings, of rural Summitville, had been fishing at the lake several days this week.

Authorities were alerted shortly after 5 p.m. that Goings had not been seen for several hours.

Two buckets, one containing fishing gear, were visible near a hole in the ice, about 50 feet from shore. The fisherman, whose vehicle was parked on the other end of the lake, was nowhere to be seen.

Lt. Andy Wuestefeld, a state conservation officer, said emergency divers found the victim’s body, in about 14 feet of water, within a few minutes of entering the frigid water.

Emergency workers about 6 p.m. placed the fisherman's remains on a stretcher and silently carried him to a nearby ambulance.

After a few minutes, that vehicle’s emergency lights were activated, and it began the trip to IU Health Ball Memorial Hospital.

Efforts to resuscitate the victim continued on the trip to the hospital, and he was not pronounced dead until 7:09 p.m., Delaware County Scott Hahn said.

There have been cases when people submerged in extremely cold water for extended periods have been revived.

Authorities were not immediately certain how long Goings might have been submerged. He reportedly was last accounted for about 11 a.m.

Hahn said an autopsy would be conducted Saturday at the hospital.

Wuestefeld said the tragedy brought home the danger of going out on frozen lakes and ponds after temperatures have increased.

Contact news reporter Douglas Walker at (765) 213-5851. You can also follow him on Twitter @DouglasWalkerSP.