A preliminary report indicates that a Rochelle man drowned last Saturday evening at Lake Lida in the Hub City.
44-year old Raul Milan was pronounced dead at Rochelle Community Hospital after being found in about 15 feet of water by emergency personnel from the fire department. He had been fishing in Lake Lida when he went under. Milan was about 20 feet from shore.
Authorities say that he was under water for about 20 to 30 minutes. Local police say there was no foul play from the drowning. Alcohol may have been a factor in the accident.
The exact cause of death will not be known until the toxicology report is completed. That will take several weeks.
This is the 3rd drowning in the past 3 years in Rochelle. Last year, a local man lost his life in the former quarry near Illinois 251 and Flagg Road. The other drowning took place at Lake Sule.
