Men Die Swimming at Cave Point, Schoolhouse Beach

Two men died in local waters in separate incidents Saturday. One died at Cave Point County Park, and the other at Schoolhouse Beach on Washington Island.

Zachary B. Nessman, 35, of Manitowoc, died after he went swimming offshore at Cave Point County Park, according to the Door County Sheriff’s Department. According to witnesses, Nessman exited the water, but he collapsed and fell back in. Bystanders pulled him from the water and began life-saving efforts until responders arrived. He was pronounced dead at Door County Medical Center. 

The Dane County Medical Examiner’s Office completed an autopsy Sunday, July 18, but the results will not be known for six weeks or more. According to the Door County Sheriff’s Department, the preliminary investigation indicates that it was an accidental near-drowning with medical complications.

Later on Saturday, 26-year-old Masnoon Nafees was pulled from the water at Schoolhouse Beach on Washington Island. He was reportedly underwater for an undetermined amount of time before bystanders pulled him from the water and began life-saving efforts. He was airlifted to a Green Bay hospital, which announced his death Monday. It has been ruled an accidental drowning.