Continuously serving Kosciusko County since 1854
A prominent Warsaw physician died Wednesday evening when he was apparently electrocuted in the waters of Winona Lake behind his home.
Dr. Richard W. Cross, 50, of 907 Glee Miner Drive, Warsaw, was found at 8:14 p.m. Wednesday.
Kosciusko County Coroner Larry Ladd said there will be an autopsy this morning. A cause of death is undetermined pending the autopsy.
The Warsaw Police Department reported they received a 911 call of a man that was blue in the face in the water in his backyard.
According to police, Cross was in the water near a personal watercraft, apparently trying to start the craft with a battery charger. Electricity was flowing to the battery charger. The first witness at the scene was reportedly shocked, and the charger had to be unplugged before rescuers could help Cross.
Police said there were several people at the scene in the water screaming for help. They were apparently unable to get Cross out of the water near his jet ski because they were unable to lift him.
Warsaw Police officer David Morales jumped into the water and was able to pick up Cross and carry him to the shore. Morales then started CPR with the help of Cross' neighbors.
Multi-Township EMS responded and took Cross to Kosciusko Community Hospital, where he was pronounced dead at 8:48 p.m.
Police are still investigating the incident.
