16-year-old Monticello boy nearly drowns

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. (WLFI) - Indiana Conservation Officers said a 16-year-old boy nearly drowned in the Tippecanoe River at Bluewater Park late Friday night.

16-year-old Dakota Warner of Monticello was attempting to swim across the river with his uncle, when he became tired. Warner began to panic and went under.

Warner's uncle pulled him to the surface and attempted to keep him above water. Corporal Conservation Officer Todd Pekny was in the area and was able to get Warner and his uncle into his patrol boat.   

Warner was transported to IU White Memorial Hospital and was then taken to IU North in Carmel for overnight observation. Warner has since been released.   

Indiana Conservation Officers say as of July 10 this year, they have conducted 35 drowning investigations, 8 of which the victim was under the age of 18.