INDIANAPOLIS — One person died after a water rescue on the White River Thursday evening.
The Indianapolis Fire Department said Martez L. Proctor-Cortez, 32, was pronounced dead when he arrived at the hospital.
Proctor-Cortez leaves behind his wife, Cassandra, who is due with a baby boy in October, and a 6-year-old daughter.
Around 7 p.m. Thursday, firefighters said a boat capsized on the river south of downtown. One of the occupants was able to notify 911 of the accident and direct rescuers to the other person who was in the boat. Witnesses on the river bank also called 911 and assisted firefighters.
Firefighters believe Proctor-Cortez was under the surface of the water for nearly an hour. He was located about 20 feet from the shore in 10 to 12 feet of water.
The owner of the boat told firefighters he had been fishing all day when a friend asked to join him. Moments after heading onto the water, the boat's owner said his friend became nervous, stood up and jumped out of the boat. That action flipped the boat over and the friend, an adult male, never resurfaced. The owner of the boat got on top of the capsized boat and waited to be rescued.
Indiana conservation officers are investigating the incident. Investigators have determined that the small boat was overloaded and could not safely navigate the river current.
Firefighters said neither of the men were wearing life vests.
In light of Thursday's accident, IFD is urging people who head out on the water to be familiar with the boat they are in and make sure to have life jackets on hand.
Also, know what part of the river you're going to be on. The Indiana Department of Natural Resources has a list of places online that are safe and those that are not.