Springfield, IL (CAPITOL CITY NOW) – The Sangamon County Coroner says a Springfield man who was rescued from Lake Springfield Tuesday afternoon likely died from drowning.

That’s what Jim Allmon’s office says is the preliminary result after an autopsy Wednesday on Averill McDonald, 34.  McDonald was pronounced dead in the emergency room of a local hospital, around an hour after Springfield Firefighters including a dive team were first called to the lake.

Crews were able to use a new piece of equipment called a “Rapid Dive” air canister, in helping a firefighter jump into the lake and rescue McDonald, near the 400 block of East Lake Shore Drive.  Firefighters Local 37 said on social media that it meant they didn’t have to wait for a full dive team to assemble.  They said they were able to get a good pulse on McDonald before he was taken to the hospital.

Allmon says his office and Springfield Police are continuing to investigate.