Natural cause suspected in angler's death

The cause of a Carson City angler's death in Alpine County is still under investigation.

Gene Creighton, 65, died while fishing in the East Fork of the Carson River downstream from Hangman's Bridge, south of Markleeville.

Sgt. Ron Mitchitarian of the Alpine County Sheriff's Office said Creighton's death appears to be of natural causes.

He said Creighton was fishing within sight of a friend. The friend looked down at one point and when he looked back up, saw Creighton face down in the river.

The friend started CPR, but was unable to revive Creighton. The man drove into Markleeville to get help. Emergency medical personnel were unable to revive the angler and he was pronounced dead at the scene.

Cause of death is awaiting an autopsy. The incident occurred at 8:58 a.m.

Creighton was president of the Sagebrush Chapter of Trout Unlimited and a member of the Carson Fly-Fishing Club's board of directors.