Cumming man dies in Madison County lake incident

WINTERSET–– The Madison County Sheriff’s Office reported the death of a Cumming man Friday at the Badger Creek State Recreational Area in the northern portion of the county. At approximately 10:20 a.m. a deceased male, later identified as Jeffery Gene Poush, 55, was discovered on the bank of Badger Creek Lake.

Although the investigation is ongoing, authorities say sometime late Thursday night or early Friday morning, Poush drove his vehicle onto the ice-covered lake with the intent to ice fish. Approximately 115 feet from the shoreline, the vehicle fell through the ice and became fully submerged in 7- to 8-feet-deep water.

Poush was able to get out of the vehicle and ultimately out of the lake on his own, with no known witnesses present. His body was discovered on shore, where it is believed he succumbed to unknown injuries and exposure.

Poush’s body was transported to the State Medical Examiner’s Office in Ankeny where an autopsy will be completed. The sheriff’s office does not suspect foul play.

Assisting at the scene were the Story County Sheriff’s Office’s Dive Team, Central Iowa Underwater Search and Rescue, Iowa Department of Natural Resources, Madison County Ambulance and Madison County Medical Examiner’s Office.