An 18-year-old Centralia High School student died in an accident on the east side of Carlyle Lake in the Coles Creek area late Saturday afternoon.
Clinton County Coroner Phil Moss says the body of Hunter Nichols was recovered around 7:30 Sunday morning. He was a passenger on a boat and was ejected when it hit a wake. Nichols was then struck by the boat’s propeller several times before he disappeared in the water.
Moss pronounced Nichols dead at Carlyle Lake at 8:37 Sunday morning. The cause of death is being listed as multiple injuries from being struck by the propeller.
The initial search had started around 4:30 Saturday afternoon. It was suspended at dark around 7:30 Saturday night. Nichols’ body was found about a half hour after the search resumed around seven Sunday morning.
The Illinois Department of Natural Resources police led the search. The US Army Corps of Engineers, the Clinton County Sheriff’s Department and the Keyesport Fire Department dive team all assisted in the search.
