Fisherman Dies After Fall at Edgewater Park Pier

A 71-year-old fisherman, identified by WOIO as Tak Yun Wong of Independence, died after falling into Lake Erie near the Edgewater Park fishing pier Tuesday evening; witnesses said 4- to 6-foot waves dragged him under as bystanders watched him struggle. Reports differ on the exact timing — WOIO says he fell just after 6 p.m., while fire officials logged response activity around 8:15 p.m. — but multiple agencies including Cleveland firefighters, Cleveland EMS, Cleveland Metroparks police and the U.S. Coast Guard responded. Responders found the man appeared to be deceased on arrival and could not safely recover him because of hazardous water conditions. Recovery operations were postponed overnight and the body was recovered Wednesday morning about 50 yards east of the pier. The Cuyahoga County Medical Examiner is investigating.