86-year-old man believed to have drowned off North Hero

NORTH HERO – An 86-year-old out-of-state man is believed to have drowned in Lake Champlain off North Hero on Tuesday, the Grand Isle County Sheriff’s Department said.
The man’s name is being withheld pending notification of his out-of-state relatives.

An autopsy has been requested by the Office of Vermont’s Chief Medical Examiner to determine the cause and manner of death.

Patrol Sgt. Jason Essinger said the sheriff’s office was alerted about 3 p.m. Tuesday to an overdue swimmer.

First responders responded to the western shore of North Hero off Cedar Vale Lane to search for the man, officials said.

Deputy Sheriff Blayne Mosher, the first officer on the scene, spotted the man in the water, swam out to him and brought him ashore, officials said.

The man was unresponsive, and emergency medical personnel attempted lifesaving measures.

The man was pronounced dead at the scene. The death is not considered suspicious, Essinger said.

Also assisting the sheriff’s department were the North Hero, Grand Isle and South Hero volunteer fire departments, the Grand Isle/North Hero Rescue Squad and Grand Isle County State’s Attorney Doug DiSabito.

Anyone with information about the incident is asked to contact the Grand Isle County Sheriff’s Office at (802) 372-4482.