Man dies after nearly an hour below surface of White River
INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) — A father died Thursday night after divers rescued him from several feet below the surface of the White River, an Indianapolis Fire Department spokeswoman said Friday.
Martez L. “Tezz” Proctor-Cortez, 32, had been married 10 months to Cassandra “Cassie” Proctor. She told the fire department that she is due to give birth to their baby boy in October. Martez also leaves behind a 6-year-old daughter. The family has created a GoFundMe account to help assist with funeral expenses.
Indiana Department of Natural Resources said in a Friday news release that Proctor-Cortez was from Indianapolis.
Proctor-Cortez and another man were fishing on the river about 7 p.m. Thursday when their boat overturned in the river at a point near the intersection of White River Parkway East Drive and Burdsal Parkway. In that area, the river intersects Coffin Golf Course and Taggart Riverside Park.
Indiana Department of Natural Resources’ release says William Henson, 31, of Indianapolis, held onto the capsized boat until he was rescued.
Fire Department Battalion Chief Rita Reith said in a news release issued Thursday night that the boat’s owner clung to the craft after it capsized and was rescued unharmed. The boat had capsized after the other man stood up and jumped from the boat.
The man was believed to have been below the river’s surface for 52 minutes before he was rescued at a depth from 10-12 feet and from 20-25 feet from the shore.
“He went under the water and did not surface,” Reith wrote. “A witness to the incident called 911 activating the emergency response immediately. Witnesses who stayed on scene were vitally helpful in directing IFD divers to the victims last seen location. Given that the body of water is so large, the importance of witness information cannot be understated. Divers were able to locate the man within 38 minutes of entering the water.”
Natural Resource’s release said, “Investigators have determined that the small watercraft was overloaded and could not safely navigate the river current. Proctor-Cortez was not wearing a life jacket.”
