Perryopolis man found dead at Ohiopyle State Park
The body of Perryopolis man was discovered at Ohiopyle State Park Sunday afternoon by a pair of hikers, according to the park’s operations manager.
Ken Bisbee said Monday that the hikers were practicing their tracking skills when they found the man in the river. In a Facebook post, Fayette County Coroner Bob Baker identified him as 55-year-old Paul Baluch.
According to Baker, Baluch’s preliminary cause of death is drowning. However, the case remains under investigation.
Based on the way Baluch was dressed, Bisbee said they believe he was a fisherman.
State police were called to the scene just before 4 p.m. Sunday. Baluch was declared dead at 4:39 p.m.
District Attorney Michael Aubele said Baluch’s death appears to be an accident.
Bisbee said that despite unseasonably warm weather, the water temperature is still 30 to 40 degrees Fahrenheit.
“Something that happens in the summer you may laugh off could be fatal this time of year,” Bisbee said.