Cedar Rapids man dies while fishing in Yellowstone River

A Cedar Rapids man died Thursday in Yellowstone National Park after losing his footing while fishing.

The 65-year-old man, whose name hasn't yet been released, was fishing in the Yellowstone

River Thursday near Mud Volcano. Around noon, he lost his footing while attempting to walk out to a small island in the middle of the river. The angler was unable to regain his footing and was quickly carried away by the strong current.

Rangers, responding to a call from a witness to the incident, discovered the man nearly six miles downstream, lying face down in the water along the river bank north of Elk Antler Creek.

Members of Yellowstone's Technical Rescue Team, who are trained in swiftwater rescue, pulled him from the river. After he was examined by paramedics, the man was declared dead at the scene.

The victim had underlying health issues which may have contributed to the accident. The cause of death remains under investigation. His name is being withheld pending completion of notification of family members.