COLUMBUS – An Ohio Natural Resources Department police officer died Tuesday after responding to a call when two teenagers fell through the ice at Rocky Fork State Park in Hillsboro, resulting in the death of a 16-year-old girl.
During the search for the boy and girl, ODNR officials say Officer Jason Lagore suffered a medical emergency and was taken to Highland District Hospital in Hillsboro, where he died.
The girl drowned after she and her 13-year-old brother fell through the ice but officials say she was able to get him out of the water before she died.
The teens fell through the ice at a private dock down a steep incline on the north side of Rocky Fork Lake at the 2,080-acre park in Highland County
Authorities say the 13-year-old boy tried unsuccessfully to locate the girl before he freed himself from the ice and water.
He was treated for hypothermia but the girl remained under the ice for approximately four hours and was pronounced dead at the scene.
A contractor who happened to be in the area heard the 13-year-old boy crying for help and called 911.
Governor Mike DeWine has ordered that the flags of the United States and the State of Ohio be flown at half-staff on public buildings and grounds in Highland County and at the Ohio Statehouse, Vern Riffe Center, and Rhodes State Office Tower in Columbus in Lagore’s honor until sunset on the day of the officer’s funeral.