Possible drowning in Steuben County

PLEASANT LAKE, Ind. (WANE) - Indiana Conservation Officers are investigating a possible drowning Friday night at Lake Miserva, which is located in Central Steuben County, east of Pleasant Lake, Indiana.

Around 6:30 p.m., John Gephart, 38, of Pleasant Lake, Indiana, was swimming with his two children at a beach near the northwest corner of the lake, when he began to have difficulty in swimming for an unknown reason and went under the surface of the water.

Pleasant Lake Firefighter Jon Geraghty was the first responder on the scene and swam with a small rowboat alongside, approximately 40 yards to the last known location Gephart was seen. Firefighter Geraghty dove in approximately 12-14 feet of water, recovered Gephart, and swam him back to shore to an awaiting ambulance at approximately 6:57 pm.

Gephart was pronounced dead at the scene at 7:22 pm.