Lake Cumberland drowning victim found after days-long search

PULASKI COUNTY, Ky. (WKYT) - After a days-long search, rescue crews have located the victim of a deadly drowning in Lake Cumberland.

The Pulaski County Sheriff’s Office confirmed that a deadly drowning happened at the lake Friday night. According to the Somerset-Pulaski County Rescue Squad, that search ended around 5:30 p.m. Sunday.

Chief Derek Denney identified the victim as 72-year-old Darrell Kirby of Liberty Township, Ohio. Denney says Kirby was on a pontoon when he fell into the water and didn’t resurface.

Kirby’s body has been sent to Frankfort for a post-mortem inspection.

After receiving the call about Kirby falling into the water Friday night, crews searched until dark, continuing the search all day Saturday and Sunday.

Several agencies, including the Russell County Rescue Squad, the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife, the Burnside Fire Department, the Somerset Special Response Team, and groups from out of state, assisted in the search.