MONTGOMERY COUNTY —Authorities have identified a man who drowned over the weekend in a southeast Kansas lake.
Just before 7 p.m., Friday, the Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office along with Independence EMS and Independence Rural Fire, responded to the Elk City Lake State Park swimming area for a man who went under water and never resurfaced, according to Sheriff Ron Wade.
Deputies learned Thomas Crittenden, 70, of Independence, Kansas had jumped off the boat they were on, and into the water. Deputies learned Crittenden went under and never resurfaced.
Kansas Wildlife and Parks Game Warden Division were contacted and responded to the scene to assist in the search. The search continued through the late hours of the night.
Just after 5:30p.m. Saturday, first responders located Crittenden's body. This is the second drowning at the city lake this year, according to Wade.