Authorities are investigating what appears to be an accidental drowning in Lake Champlain near the Shore Acres Inn and Restaurant in North Hero, according to a Vermont State Police press release.
State Police received a report at 12:21 p.m. on Monday that two friends had removed the unresponsive victim from the water. Later identified as Carl “Ernie” Harris, 65, of Claremont, New Hampshire, the victim had been swimming to a boat moored a short distance from the dock when he began experiencing difficulty swimming and went underwater, state police said.
Despite efforts to resuscitate Harris, he was pronounced dead by Grand Isle Rescue responders following their arrival at the scene.
An assistant state medical examiner and Grand Isle County State’s Attorney Doug DiSabito also responded to the location, and Harris’ body was taken to the chief medical examiner’s office in Burlington for an autopsy to determine the cause of death.
— Ella Ruehsen
