BERLIN TOWNSHIP, PA — A Berlin Township man was pronounced dead last night at Duck Harbor Pond in Damascus Township, PA.

The Wayne County coroner, Edward R. Howell, was dispatched to the pond’s boat launch near Old Woods Road. He pronounced Franklin J. Piercy, 63, of Brook Road in Berlin Township, PA, dead at the scene at 7:24 p.m. on Tuesday, March 5.

After several days of searching for a man reported missing while ice fishing on February 26, the PA State Police Marine Unit discovered the submerged body approximately 10 yards from the shoreline, on the opposite side of the pond from where his truck was found parked.

Howell and Deputy Coroner Carol Lienert, Coroner Emeritus of the Pennsylvania State Police, are conducting an investigation. An autopsy will be performed on Thursday morning, March 7.

During the same week in Wayne County, on February 27, the Tafton and Ledgedale dive/rescue teams rescued two other individuals who fell through the ice at Prompton State Park. Following this incident, they were called to recover approximately $4,000 worth of ice fishing equipment that was underwater and on unsafe ice.

“This serves as a reminder of the importance of exercising caution when venturing onto frozen bodies of water, especially during fluctuating temperatures or thawing conditions,” said First Lieutenant Matt Forsythe, an ice rescue diver with the Tafton Dive/Rescue Team. “Safety should always be the top priority, and individuals should take necessary precautions and adhere to posted advisories to avoid such accidents.”