A 43-year-old Lincoln man has died after drowning Sunday night at the Cottonwood Reservoir in Saunders County. The Saunders County sheriff says the 9-1-1 Dispatch Center received a call about a possible drowning just before 9:00 at the reservoir southeast of Prague.
The sheriff’s office says deputies and Prague Fire and Rescue responded and began searching for the man. A Saunders County Sheriff’s Office drone was also used to conduct a grid search of the area, but the initial search was unsuccessful.
Additional rescue crews from Saunders County Emergency Management, Valparaiso Fire and Rescue, Malcolm/Raymond Water Rescue and Waterloo Water Rescue responded to assist. The sheriff’s office says sonar from a Waterloo rescue boat located the victim in the water. Divers then recovered 43-year-old Derek Mueller. He was pronounced dead around 1:00 Monday morning.
The sheriff’s office says the preliminary investigation indicates Mueller had been swimming out into the reservoir to retrieve a fishing lure when he drowned. An autopsy has been ordered and the investigation is continuing.
(Photo: Saunders County Sheriff Facebook)