On the morning, an 84-year-old man from Hildesheim was operating a remote-controlled model boat on the water at the eastern shore of Hohnsensee Lake. It is believed that the boat got tangled in the water plants of the lake and became immobile shortly before 11:00 am. The 84-year-old man apparently tried to free the boat himself and entered the water.
Witnesses saw the man go underwater near the boat and not resurface. The emergency call was made to the rescue control center, and some witnesses tried to free the man from the water themselves, but were unsuccessful. Divers from the DLRG were able to locate him in the water about 50 minutes later and bring him to land. Despite resuscitation efforts, the man was pronounced dead at a hospital in Hildesheim.
The Hildesheim police are investigating the cause of death, but at this time, it is believed to be an accident.
