Columbus counselor drowns at Wisconsin state park Wednesday
PUBLISHED Jul 3, 2026, 9:25 AM ET
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Columbus, Ohio: On Wednesday, school counselor Bryan V. Stork, 48, was pulled from Nicolet Bay at Peninsula State Park in Gibraltar, Wisconsin, after bystanders and emergency responders found him unresponsive; responders performed life-saving measures and transported him to a local hospital where he later died. The Door County Sheriff's Office confirmed the incident and thanked assisting bystanders. Gibraltar and Columbus officials confirmed the victim as Bryan Stork, a ninth- and tenth-grade counselor at Grandview Heights High School; the district said this week that support services are available for students, staff and families as they grieve, and authorities reported at present there is no active investigation into the death.
By James Porter | JQJO News
Timeline of Events
- Wednesday afternoon: 3:35 p.m. approximate — emergency call at Peninsula State Park regarding unresponsive swimmer.
- Responders located an unresponsive man in Nicolet Bay and pulled him to shore; life-saving measures were initiated.
- The man, later identified as Bryan V. Stork, 48, was transported to a local hospital and later pronounced dead.
- Door County Sheriff's Office issued a statement thanking bystanders who assisted and confirmed the recovery.
- Grandview Heights School District identified the victim as a counselor and announced support services for students and staff.
News Intelligence
- This tragedy underscores the importance of water safety, even in familiar settings. As we head into the warmer months, it's crucial to remember to swim with a buddy, keep an eye on each other, and know your limits. It's a reminder that accidents can happen to anyone, at any age.
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Local emergency responders and bystanders received formal acknowledgement from the Door County Sheriff's Office for assisting the recovery effort and the Grandview Heights School District mobilized support resources for students and staff.
Family members, students, staff and the Grandview Heights community suffered the loss of Bryan V. Stork following his drowning at Peninsula State Park.
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