Avonmore Man Drowns in Keystone Lake

by Jonathan Weaver

A Kiski Township man was found dead early Saturday morning in Keystone Lake in Plumcreek Township.

The deceased was identified by Armstrong County Coroner Brian Myers as James J. Whitlinger, 56, of Dunmire Road of Avonmore (Kiski Township). The cause of death was asphyxiation due to drowning.

Rural Valley Assistant Fire Chief Bill Rupert said fire crews were originally dispatched about 7:20AM about a half-mile from the Atwood boat launch off Route 210.

“Some other ice fisherman had gone out before sunrise, and once daylight broke, they observed (Whitlinger’s) sled and ice fishing equipment sitting with no one around it. A few walked over to investigate, and where this stuff was sitting, the ice was really weak. They saw a very large hole, like someone broke through, so they called 9-1-1,” Assistant Chief Rupert said.

The manner of death was ruled accidental. Based on the death investigation, Rupert said Whitlinger left his residence about 6PM Friday evening.

“Since he didn’t have any of his equipment unpacked yet, we’re thinking this happened pretty quickly– maybe in the area of 7-8PM (Friday),” Assistant Chief Rupert said.

He said he was aided in the investigation by Elderton Fire Chief Ron Kepple

Other responding emergency crews included Elderton and Dayton firefighters and the Kittanning Hose Company #6 dive team, the Region 13 HOST team, Citizens Ambulance in Indiana, the PA Fish Commission, Pennsylvania State Police, and the Kittanning Salvation Army.

Assistant Chief Rupert said it is the first ice rescue crews responded to recently, but he still cautioned fisherman.

“Ice is eight inches thick in some spots, but there’s open water in the middle of the lake – it’s not frozen over at all,” Assistant Chief Rupert said.

Emergency responders were on-scene about seven hours Saturday.

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