Averill McDonald dies in fatal Springfield drowning incident
Tragic Springfield drowning death identified as Averill McDonald
Averill McDonald, a 34-year-old Springfield man, has been identified by the Sangamon County Coroner, Jim Allmon, following his death in Lake Springfield on June 24th. Emergency medical services pronounced McDonald dead at 1:43 p.m. at HSHS St. John’s Hospital after he arrived via ambulance following the incident. The preliminary autopsy findings, completed on June 25th, concluded that the cause of death was consistent with drowning. Toxicology reports are pending review. Springfield Police Department’s Sara Pickford reported that McDonald was at the Blue Ridge Campground with two acquaintances when he entered the water. One of the companions promptly initiated the emergency response. The ongoing investigation aims to determine further details surrounding the unfortunate accident.
