Indiana Ag Connection - Deckhand Drowns After Fall into Lake Michigan

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Deckhand Drowns After Fall into Lake Michigan
Indiana Ag Connection - 12/11/2019

Indiana Conservation Officers and the Porter County Coroner's Office reported Tuesday they are investigating the death of Sara Murawski, 30, of Kinde, Mich.

At around 3:45 p.m. Monday, witnesses reported seeing Murawski fall into Lake Michigan at the Port of Indiana-Burns Harbor, at the ArcelorMittal Steel J Dock, where the commercial vessel on which the deckhand served was docked.

Indiana Conservation Officers and other emergency personnel responded to the area, and a search was immediately conducted.

Murawski had just completed a work trip of several weeks. She was onshore retrieving her belongings when she fell in the water between the J Dock and the vessel. A witness entered the water in an attempt to rescue her, but Murawski slipped below the surface before he could get to her. She was not wearing a life jacket and did not immediately resurface.

Approximately 45 minutes later, Porter Fire Department diver Lt. Evan Jamrok recovered Murawski in 32 feet of water. She was immediately brought to the surface and pulled into a United States Coast Guard vessel.

CPR was initiated and Murawski was brought to a waiting Burns Harbor Fire Department ambulance. She was transported to Porter Regional Hospital where she was later pronounced deceased.

The investigation is ongoing. Although an official cause of death has not been determined, the incident is believed to be an accidental drowning. Foul play is not suspected. Family has been notified.

Assisting agencies include: Burns Harbor Police Department, Ogden Dunes Police Department, Burns Harbor Fire Department, Porter Fire Department, Portage Fire Department, ArcelorMittal Fire/Security, United States Coast Guard, Porter County Coroner's Office, Porter County Central Dispatch Center, and Indiana Conservation Officers Central Dispatch Center.

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