FULTON COUNTY, Ill. — A man drowned Sunday morning while fishing at Banner Marsh State Fish and Wildlife Area.
Fulton County Coroner Steve Hines identified the victim as 66-year-old Robert Thompson, of East Peoria.
68-year-old Michael Polson, tried to rescue his friend after Thompson fell out of their boat and struggled to swim.
Polson pulled Thompson from the water around 9:45 a.m. about a half mile southeast of Shovel Lake Boat Ramp. He was unable to revive Thompson and called 9-1-1.
“Rescue personnel arrived, along with Life Flight. They were also not able to revive Thompson, and he was pronounced dead at the scene,” Hines said.
An autopsy is planned for Monday to determine if Thompson suffered any medical conditions prior to drowning.
