A 48-year-old man from Columbus, Ohio, has died after he was pulled unresponsive from the water at a popular Wisconsin state park earlier this week.
The Door County Sheriff’s Office said emergency crews were called to the Nicolet Bay area of Peninsula State Park in the Town of Gibraltar on Wednesday afternoon, just after 3:30 p.m., after reports came in of a man found unresponsive in the water.
The park sits along the shoreline of Lake Michigan in western Wisconsin and is a well-known summer destination for both local families and out-of-state visitors.
What Happened at the Scene
According to officials, first responders arrived quickly and worked to pull the man from the bay. Once he was brought to shore, emergency personnel began life-saving efforts on the spot. Several bystanders who happened to be nearby also jumped in to help during the recovery, something authorities specifically thanked the public for in their statement.
The man was rushed to a nearby hospital, where medical staff continued trying to save him. Despite those efforts, he was pronounced dead a short time later. Officials identified him as Bryan V. Stork of Columbus, a 48-year-old visitor who had apparently traveled from Ohio to the Wisconsin park.
A joint release from the Gibraltar Police Department and the Door County Sheriff’s Office noted that multiple agencies responded to the scene, including the Gibraltar Fire Department, Gibraltar Emergency Medical Responders, the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, and Door County Emergency Services.
The coordinated response reflects how seriously local agencies treat water emergencies at the park, which draws large crowds during the warmer months.
Investigation Now Closed
As of Thursday, authorities said the investigation into Stork’s death has been closed. The sheriff’s office indicated that no further information would be released regarding the circumstances of the drowning, and it remains unclear exactly what led to the incident.
There has been no indication so far that foul play was involved, and the case appears to be treated as an accidental drowning.
Peninsula State Park is one of Wisconsin’s most visited state parks, known for its scenic bluffs, hiking and biking trails, and access to Green Bay waters, including Nicolet Bay. The park attracts thousands of tourists each summer, many of whom come specifically for water activities like swimming, kayaking, and boating.
Drowning incidents like this one serve as a reminder for both residents and visitors to exercise caution around open water, even in areas that seem calm or shallow. Conditions in large bodies of water connected to the Great Lakes can shift quickly, and even strong swimmers can find themselves in trouble.
Officials have not released additional details about Stork’s background or the exact events leading up to the drowning. Family and friends of the victim have not yet issued public statements. As the investigation is now closed, no updates are expected from Door County officials moving forward.
