A summer day at Peninsula State Park turned tragic when a 48-year-old man from Columbus drowned after being pulled from the waters of Nicolet Bay in Door County, Wisconsin. Bystanders and emergency responders recovered the man and tried to save him on shore before he was taken to a nearby hospital, where he was later pronounced dead. Authorities have identified the victim as Bryan V. Stork.
According to WSYX/ABC6, emergency crews were called for a report of an unresponsive male in Nicolet Bay and located Stork in the water. Gibraltar Emergency Medical Responders pulled him from the bay and began life-saving measures on shore before transporting him to a local hospital, where he later died. The station cites a statement from local authorities about the response.
The Door County Sheriff's Office publicly thanked bystanders who "assisted emergency personnel with recovery assistance" in a notice on its official Facebook page. Officials have not released additional details about how Stork ended up in the water or the specific hospital where he was treated.
Where the Rescue Happened
Peninsula State Park juts into Green Bay on a small peninsula and is one of Door County's most popular draws for beachgoers and campers, especially in summer. On the park's water-recreation page, the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources notes that Nicolet Beach has a designated swimming area but no lifeguard on duty. Rangers and local first responders regularly patrol busy shoreline spots and frequently remind visitors to be cautious around natural beaches and boat launches.
Water Safety Reminders
Open-water beaches and bays can change quickly, currents, sudden drop-offs, and cold pockets can turn an easy swim into an emergency. Groups such as the American Red Cross recommend multiple layers of protection: active supervision, life jackets for weak swimmers or boaters, and using the buddy system in and around the water. If someone in the water appears distressed, officials advise calling 911 immediately and, if trained, beginning rescue breathing and CPR until first responders arrive.
For now, authorities have released only the brief statement on social media cited by local stations and confirmed that bystanders assisted at the scene. We will update this report if the Door County Sheriff's Office or local EMS provide additional information.
