Man who was Pulled From Creek Dies

ZANESVILLE, Ohio – According to Sheriff Matt Lutz of the Muskingum County Sheriff Office the man who was pulled out of Jonathan Creek on Tuesday has passed away. 24-year-old Matt Goins of Zanesville passed away at 3 a.m. Wednesday morning.

Muskingum County Sheriffs, South Zanesville Police, and South Zanesville Fire Department responded to reports at 5:30 p.m. of a man drowning in Jonathan Creek behind the Muddy Boot Bar and Grill on Old River Road. The accident occurred where the creek splits from the Muskingum River and heads south.

“We ending up finding a person that we believe did drown in the water. He was rushed to the hospital, and they tried to resuscitate him, and about 3 a.m. this morning the victim did pass away,” said Sherriff Lutz.

Sheriff Lutz said that Goins was fishing with a female friend when the two decided to swim in the creek. The female swam safely to one side. Goins did not make it across. Authorities pulled him from the water and he was taken to Genesis.

Sheriff Lutz said it is not illegal to swim in the creek and the Sheriffs Office is still looking to see if alcohol played a role in the incident. Sheriff Lutz stressed the importance of safety when near water.

“You just want to be very careful. You should never go in that river without a life vest in my opinion,” said Lutz. “And you always want to have somebody that’s there that knows where you are and can help you.”

The incident is still under investigation.