[Southsider2k12]

http://www.wsbt.com/news/local/Man-pulled-...e-dies/34636476

Eric Graff, 39, of New Buffalo, died Friday at Memorial Hospital in South Bend where he had been on life support, said DNR conservation officer, Shawn Brown.

Authorities said Graff jumped in without a life jacket and tried to swim a rope to friends on another boat so they could be connected and watch the Great Lakes Grand Prix together.

Graff, after yelling for help, went face down in the water and was pulled out. CPR was started by one of the passengers.

He was loaded onto a U.S Coast Guard vessel and had a pulse when he arrived at the hospital but never regained consciousness, authorities said.

Brown said a toxicology test showed he had consumed some alcohol but not enough to be a factor in his death.

Authorities say it's possible he suffered a medical related episode after jumping into the 37 ft of water.