Goose hunter, 23, dies trying to save his dog after it fell through ice
23-year-old goose hunter found dead in Illinois fell through the ice of a frozen pond trying to do save your dog.
New Baden Fire Department replied A report of a man falling through the ice of a frozen pond shortly after 3 p.m. Monday. Multiple units were sent to the area, including a dive team from the nearby Swansea Fire Department.
After a few hours, the search turned from rescue mission to rescue mission, and the man’s body was found the next day, according to local media. KSDK. He has since been identified as 23-year-old Luke Kitterman.
The incident stemmed from a hunting accident, according to Peyton Matthews of the Illinois Department of Natural Resources Conservation. Kitterman was goose hunting with several young men when his dog fell through the ice.
“They were hunting. They were hunting geese. The dog that was picking up the geese had gone out on the ice and fell while trying to pick up the geese,” Matthews told KSDK.
Rescue teams reached the body of 23-year-old Luke Kitterman, who fell into an icy pond while trying to save his dog (KSDK)
“At that time, the owner of the dog panicked, worried that the dog might be in trouble, and at that time he went on the ice and tried to save his dog,” he added.
Kitterman’s friends tried to save him, but he quickly fell into the water.
“His friends tried to get there to help him,” Matthews said. “They managed to get the dog out of the water and into the canoe, but unfortunately they lost sight of their friend.”
Several of Kitterman’s friends remained at the scene while first responders searched for him, KSDK reported. As the search continued, the property owners also opened a warming center for first responders and their friends.
Kitterman lived in New Memphis, Illinois, and was “an avid outdoorsman,” according to an obituary reviewed by The Guardian. Belleville News-Democrat.
“He would rather be outside than anywhere else. He was an experienced hunter and fisherman, as well as a conservationist and member of Ducks Unlimited,” his obituary reads.
“He took great care to ensure that forests, rivers and lakes were preserved for future hunters and fishermen,” his obituary continues. “Luke also loved boating, hanging out and drinking beer with his family and friends.”
