Illinois Man Dies in Boating Incident at Diamond Lake

DIAMOND LAKE, Ore. - A 71-year-old Illinois man died Saturday afternoon after falling from a pontoon boat at Diamond Lake, according to the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office.

Deputies were called to the lake at approximately 2:17 p.m. July 18 after receiving a report that a person had fallen overboard and disappeared beneath the water.

The man was identified as William Harry Bailey of Bethalto, Illinois. Bailey was visiting Diamond Lake with family members for a reunion. The family had rented a pontoon boat earlier in the day to spend time on the lake.

Investigators said Bailey and his sister moved to the bow of the boat to take a photograph. As they stood near the front, the bow dipped into the water and the stern rose, causing both of them to lose their balance and fall into the lake.

Witnesses told deputies that Bailey pushed his sister away from the front of the boat to prevent her from falling into its path. Bailey then fell directly in front of the moving pontoon, which passed over him.

Bailey briefly resurfaced before disappearing beneath the water.

Family members immediately began searching and called 911. Deputies, firefighters and other emergency personnel searched near the location where Bailey was last seen but were unable to initially find him.

Divers with the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office later located and recovered Bailey’s body from the lake. The Douglas County Medical Examiner’s Office was notified.

The Sheriff’s Office expressed its condolences to Bailey’s family and friends.

Diamond Lake Resort, Central Douglas Fire & Rescue, Oregon State Police, Umpqua Valley Ambulance, REACH Air Medical Services and the Oregon State Marine Board assisted with the response.