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FAIRFIELD, IOWA -- (UPDATE) Press Release from the Fairfield Fire Department regarding a possible drowning at Bonnifield Lake:

On July 12, 2012 at approximately 6:58 p.m., a 911 call was made to the Jefferson County Law Center for the Fairfield Police Department and Fairfield Fire Department to respond to a drowning at Bonnifield Lake Beach.  According to witnesses, 31-year-old Jesse Harl of 1719 Hackberry, Batavia, Iowa 52533 was swimming beyond the designated swimming area near the alligator (a decoy used to scare away geese) with a young girl.  Harl became a distressed swimmer, and another swimmer retrieved the young girl taking her to safety.  Swimmers in the area attempted to locate Harl to no avail. 

The Fairfield Police Department and Fairfield Fire Department responded and began a search.  At approximately 8:06, Jesse Harl was located and transported to the Offices of the Iowa State Medical Examiner for a determination of the cause of death pending an autopsy.

Bonnifield Lake remains closed until further notice.  It usually is open for swimming from Dawn to Dusk.  The lake is a swim at your own risk area and no lifeguards are present. 

Assistance with this effort were the Fairfield Police Department, Fairfield Fire Department, Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office, Ottumwa Fire Department Water Rescue Team, Fairfield Park and Recreation Department, Fairfield Water Department, Fairfield Public Works Department and Iowa State Medical Examiner’s Office.

The Fairfield Fire Department confirms that someone did drown in the city Thursday evening.

The drowning happened at approximately 7:05 p.m., reportedly at the Fairfield Waterworks Park.

A spokesman from the fire department said it was an adult who drowned, but he wouldn’t release any further details on the incident.

He told KTVO Thursday night that the Fairfield Police Department will release further details, saying the department is expected to issue a press release early Friday morning regarding the drowning.