UPDATE: A forensic autopsy was conducted on the body of Robert S. Smith, age 69, of
Liberty Center, Indiana who died Sunday afternoon, August 13, 2023, at the Mt. Etna Boat Ramp located
in Polk Township (Mt. Etna, Indiana.). The autopsy revealed that Mr. Smith died as a result of drowning,
due to a medical condition that was induced by the event.
The manner of death has been ruled accidental.
HUNTINGTON COUNTY, IN- Robert S. Smith, age 69, of Liberty Center, Indiana was pronounced deceased
at 2:02 PM on Sunday afternoon at the Mt. Etna Boat Ramp located in Polk Township (Mt. Etna, Indiana)
by the Huntington County Coroner from causes yet to be determined. Witness reports indicated Mr. Smith had launched his boat into the Salamonie Reservoir when it began to take on water. Other boaters in the area came to his rescue and provided a life flotation device to Mr. Smith, who was not wearing a personal flotation device. He grabbed onto the device and exited the boat. As he was being pulled to the rescuers’ boat, he briefly went under the water, surfaced, and began to struggle. When rescuers were able to get him into the boat, he was unconscious and not breathing. CPR was immediately started and 911 was called.
First Responders arrived within minutes of the call and made their way to the boat Mr. Smith was in and
assumed CPR. It was continued until he was transferred from the boat and into the care of the Parkview
Huntington Hospital EMS. CPR continued per protocol until advised to cease per medical authority.
At this time, it is speculated that Mr. Smith may have suffered a medical emergency as a result of the
incident; however, an autopsy is scheduled at the Northeast Indiana Forensic Center in Fort Wayne where
the cause and manner of death will be determined.
The investigation into the incident continues with the Huntington County Coroner’s Office and Indiana
Department of Natural Resource Law Enforcement Division.
Investigating/Assisting Agencies: Huntington County Coroner’s Office, Huntington County Sheriff’s
Office, Indiana Department of Natural Resource Law Enforcement Division, Mt. Etna Volunteer Fire
Department, and Parkview Huntington Hospital EMS.