Published: May 08, 2008 10:11 pm         

Man dies in Laurel Lake

70 year old has heart attack, falls into water

A man died on the banks of Laurel River Lake Wednesday after falling in the water and likely having a heart attack.

Around 2 p.m. Herman Feltner Sr., 70, and his ex-sister-in-law Twila Sizemore were fishing off of a limestone embankment on the west side of the lake’s spillway.

“He started feeling sick,” Laurel County Sheriff’s Deputy James Sizemore said. “They got up to go sit in the shade. As he got up, he lost his balance and fell in the water.”

Feltner, of Perry County, fell about 15 feet, but managed to swim to the bank. He was unable to lift himself out of the water, however. Twila Sizemore, who could not swim, was likewise unable to help him out.

A fisherman standing on the opposite side of the spillway saw Feltner fall and went to the nearby campground to call 9-1-1.

Gregory Brown, who was driving over the dam, also ran down to help.

“She had his head and shoulders up in her lap,” Brown said. “She was tore up bad.”

Whitley County Sheriff’s Deputy Brett Reeves got to the scene first and started performing CPR but Feltner could not be resuscitated.

He was pronounced dead by Laurel County Coroner Doug Bowling at 3:30 p.m.

Bowling said Feltner “had a history of health problems.”

“He had Parkinson’s and was complaining of chest pain,” he said. “He had a heart condition.”

Deputy Sizemore was assisted at the scene by Whitley County Sheriff’s Office, Whitley County Emergency Medical Services, Ambulance Inc. of Laurel County, U.S. Forest Service, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Bald Rock Fire Department, Oak Grove Fire Department and Coroner Bowling.



Staff writer Tara Kaprowy can be reached by e-mail at tkaprowy@sentinel-echo.com.