At approximately 5:06 p.m., Saturday, the Phillips County Sheriff's Department received a 911 call of a possible drowning at Kirwin National Refuge, according to a statement made on Facebook Sunday afternoon.
"Phillips County Sheriff's Office, Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks, U.S. Fish and Wildlife, Kansas Highway Patrol, Kirwin Fire Department and Phillips County EMS responded and began recovery operations. The search was discontinued at approximately 11:00 p.m," the announcement said.
"The search resumed this morning with the assistance of the Mitchell County Dive Team which resulted in the recovery of the victim in approximately 20 feet of water at approximately 12:40 p.m."
According to the statement David J. Bruce, 61, Beatrice, Neb., had been fishing and went ashore.
"While on shore, the boat drifted out into the water and Bruce attempted to swim to it," the announcement said. "Bruce was unable to reach the boat, went under the water and didn't resurface. A companion alerted other boaters in the area who called 911."