Fish and Wildlife officers investigating apparent drowning at Madison Co. lake

RICHMOND, Ky. (WKYT) - Two men were found dead in shallow water at Wilgreen Lake after they did not return home from a fishing trip Wednesday.

The bodies of Anthony Hoover, 63, and Ronnie Rollins, 64, both of Richmond, were found in about 3 to 5 feet of water. Fish and Wildlife officers said the two likely drowned.

Family members called state police when the men did not come home Wednesday after a day of fishing. State police then contacted Fish and Wildlife officers.

“We were able to locate the boat very early on. Upon discovery of the boat we observed multiple safety equipment in the water,” said Warden Mitchell Weekley of Fish and Wildlife.

The two had been out on the lake since about 8 or 9 o’clock Wednesday morning.

Officers speculate that one man may have fallen into the water and the other tried to help him, then ended up in the water also.

“Like I said we did observe multiple attempts at some rescue using safety equipment. They had plenty of life jackets on board, neither was wearing one,” Weekley said.

Weekley said hypothermia could have been a factor. The water temperature was very cool.

Officers said in nearly every drowning case they work, the victim is not wearing a life jacket or some kind of flotation device.

“Most people think they will have plenty of time to use a life vest or put on a life vest when a tragic situation happens. Generally speaking that is not the case,” Weekley said.

The boat appears to have taken on some water but was still floating.

The bodies of both men were sent to the state medical examiner for autopsies.