Body of 76-year-old angler found after parkgoer hears cries for help, Iowa officials say

A fisherman died after falling off of a dock at a state park late at night, Iowa officials said.

Officials were dispatched around midnight on June 4 to Rock Creek State Park after a 911 caller said they heard cries for help near a boat ramp, according to a news release from the Jasper County Sheriff’s Office.

Upon arrival, a state department of natural resources officer encountered an unresponsive man at the scene.

Medical assistance was called for, and a helicopter later landed at the park.

“Unfortunately, medical intervention was unsuccessful, and the subject was pronounced dead at the scene,” police said.

An investigation found two people had been fishing together on a dock, and one of them fell into the water. The second individual called for assistance and managed to pull the person from the water, according to police.

The fisherman who died was identified as 76-year-old Larry Conner, police said.

Conner, a resident of Marshalltown, used a wheelchair, according to the Des Moines Register.

Rock Creek State Park is located next to Rock Creek Lake, a popular fishing destination with 15 miles of shoreline, a jetty and pier to fish from, according to the Iowa Department of Natural Resources.

This story was originally published June 6, 2023 at 7:24 AM with the headline "Body of 76-year-old angler found after parkgoer hears cries for help, Iowa officials say."