Covington man drowns in Coal Creek

FOUNTAIN, CO., Ind. (WLFI) – An 18-year-old Covington man is dead after being swept through the Coal Creek low head dam Saturday.

Indiana Conservation Officers were called to the area just after 7 p.m. after Fountain County Dispatch received a report of a man that had been swept through the Coal Creek low head dam in Stringtown. Multiple agencies responded to the scene to begin rescue efforts.

At approximately 9 p.m., Covington Fire personnel found the body of 18-year-old Covington resident Brandon Simmons about a mile and a half downstream.

Simmons was pronounced dead at the scene by the Fountain County Coroner’s Office.

Indiana Conservation Officers are investigating the death.

Assisting agencies include the Fountain County Sheriff’s Department, Fountain County EMS, Covington Fire and Police Departments, Perrysville Fire, and the Fountain County Coroners Office.

According to Indiana Conservation Officers, all area waterways are flooded and dangerous following the recent rain. Officers said they have been responding to people swept away all week due to young people swimming or floating the creeks in an inner tube.

Conservation officers warn that people drown in flooded waterways because they underestimate the relentless power of moving water. They ask that people always wear a life jacket near the water, and stay out of flooded areas.