Jan 21, 2025

Sheriff IDs Kansas duck hunter who drowned after fall from boat

Posted Jan 21, 2025 12:00 PM

OSAGE COUNTY —Authorities investigating a drowning incident at a Kansas lake over the weekend have identified the victim as 28-year-old Justin T. Steinman, 28, of Overland Park, according to Osage County Sheriff Chris Wells.

 Just after 3:30 p.m. Saturday, the Osage County Sheriff’s Office received a report of a person who had fallen out of a boat while duck hunting on Melvern Lake, according to Wells. Emergency crews responded to the scene.

After a lengthy search by land, air and water, Steinman was located  and rescued from the water.  Life-saving measures were performed. EMS  transported him to a local hospital, where he was pronounced deceased.

The Osage County Sheriff’s Office, Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks, Osage County Fire District #2 – Osage City, Osage County Fire District #3 – Melvern, Reading Fire Department, LifeSave air ambulance out of Emporia, and Osage County EMS participated in the search.