MELVERN LAKE — — A 37-year-old Melvern man has been identified as the drowning victim at Melvern Lake Sunday. Vincent L. Rice was Scuba-diving near the Coeur d’Alene swim beach Sunday afternoon but didn’t resurface, the Osage County Sheriff’s Department said. The drowning is being ruled as accidental, Sheriff Laurie Dunn said. Her department is awaiting an autopsy report. Authorities were alerted by a 911 call reporting a possible drowning Sunday afternoon at the swim beach, and officials including Osage County deputies, state park rangers, federal Corps of Engineers officials, Osage County Fire District 3, Osage County EMS and Coffey County Water Rescue, began a search of the swimming area. Rice’s body was recovered Sunday night.
Tuesday, May 28, 6 a.m.; updated, 11:30 a.m.
