There’s been a third drowning at Green River Lake, and one previous drowning victim has been identified as a Hardin County man.
The latest of the three drownings in a two-week span occurred on Sunday when 43-year-old Emad A. Issa, of Louisville, disappeared underneath the surface while swimming in a “No Swimming” zone, according to Campbellsville Fire-Rescue.
Campbellsville Fire-Rescue divers located Issa’s body Monday morning after six hours of searching.
The man who drowned on the afternoon of Wednesday, May 31, at Green River Lake State Park has been identified as 43-year-old Vinsette Z. Noucho, of Hardin County, according to the Taylor County Coroner’s Office.
Noucho was pulled from the water by witnesses, who began performing CPR. He was transported to Taylor Regional Hospital where he was pronounced deceased.
The first of the trio of drownings happened on Monday, May 22, when a LaRue County man, 69-year-old Rodney D. Lewis, of Buffalo, died after driving his vehicle into Green River Lake.
The Taylor County Coroner’s Office said Lewis was backing his boat into the river at Ramp 1 when Lewis’ truck continued “backwards into the water for unknown reasons.” Lewis was unable to exit the vehicle. He was found and removed from inside his truck by divers.
Lewis was transported to Taylor Regional Hospital where he was pronounced deceased.
Kentucky Fish & Wildlife and the Taylor County Coroner’s Office investigated all three incidents.
In lieu of the drownings, Taylor County Coroner Daniel T. Cook issued the following statement on water and boating safety:
Sometimes there are accidents. Other times, negligence and poor decisions set the stage for injury and death. As a general statement, I will say the following:
- Water + Alcohol + Heat = a Deadly Situation
- You Shouldn’t Enter the Water anywhere that isn’t designated as an Official “Swimming Area.” Warning Signs are there for a reason!
- You SHOULD ALWAYS wear a Personal Flotation Device (PFD) also commonly referred to as a life-jacket when on or near the water.
- You SHOULD know your limitations in everything in life, swimming included.
- You SHOULD always have a plan for anything.
- Boaters, Fisherman and those who think you know all there is to know about the lake and you’ve done it for the last 100 years … no one is invincible to accidents/injury/death. Be Careful. Use Due Regard and Boat/Play/Tube/Swim safely.
By Ken Howlett, News Director
Contact Ken at ken@k105.com
