A Benson man died while fishing in a creek Saturday evening. The Johnston County Sheriff’s Office said 63 year-old Edward Lee Johnson of Banner Elk Road was at a small creek near his home fishing. Family members reportedly checked on Johnson around 7:00pm and he was fine. When they went back around 9:00pm they discovered his body in the water.
Authorities said it appears Johnson slipped while on the embankment and struck his head before falling into the creek.
The NC Medical Examiner’s Office ruled his death due to head trauma consistent with a fall. Officials said all signs point to the death being a tragic accident. The embankment where Johnson was fishing was very steep and lined with rocks and other debris. Photos by John Payne
