Indiana Conservation Officers are investigating the apparent drowning on Sunday in the private Sager Lake near Valparaiso.

According to a statement released late on Sunday by Public Information Officer Gene Davis, James Spurgeon was swimming out to a raft when he went under the water. There were calls of help and Ronald Stolverg, also of Illinois, jumped into the water and located Spurgeon in about 10 feet of water. CPR attempts were unsuccessful, Davis said, and Spurgeon was later pronounced dead at Porter Valparaiso Hospital Campus.

Both Spurgeon and Stolverg were staying at the same property on Sager Road, Davis said.

The Porter County Sheriff’s Police and the Valparaiso Fire Department responded to the scene. Indiana Conservation Officers investigate all drownings in the state except those which occur in swimming pools and bathtub-type environments.

Posted 7/28/2008