Vermont State Troopers received a call at 2:30 pm May 19 that a man had fallen into Otter Creek in Mt. Tabor while fishing. James Woods, 67, of Rutland was pulled from the water by a witness who observed the fall. 

The witness contacted 911 and attempts at resuscitation were made by the witness and Northshire Rescue. Resuscitation was unsuccessful and Woods was pronounced deceased on the scene.

Troopers and the Bureau of Criminal Investigations responded to the scene.  Preliminary investigation by the State Police determined Woods had been fishing alone and he was attempting to release a fish when he fell forward into the water. The fall into the water was about three feet. The reason for the fall is unknown at this time.

The victim’s body was being taken to the Chief Medical Examiner’s Office in Burlington for an autopsy to determine the cause and manner of death.