Times Staff Report

An Illinois businessman and an employee died from hypothermia after their helicopter crashed about 9 p.m. April 22 into Bass Lake in Starke County, the coroner announced Friday.

Bruce A.. Groen, 45, of Crete, and Stephanie A. Nottke, 41, of Frankfort, died from the loss of body heat due to prolonged exposure to cold water, Starke County Coroner Kris Rannells said in a news release.

Neither person's body showed signs of traumatic injury or drowning, nor did toxicology results reveal any indication that alcohol or drugs played a role in the accident, the coroner said.

Groen was flying the Robinson R44 Raven helicopter that crashed in Bass Lake near Knox. Nottke worked with Groen at Groen Concrete.

Nottke was alive after the crash but lost consciousness after boaters pulled her from the water. She was pronounced dead at Starke Memorial Hospital.

Groen's body was recovered May 2.

Witnesses described the helicopter rapidly descending and said they saw a rotor hit the water. Officials said the helicopter crashed into about 18 feet of murky water.