Fatality at Lake Mead National Recreation Area 25-07

Date: June 3, 2007
Contact: Roxanne Dey, 702.293.8947

At about 6:30 p.m., tonight (Sunday, June 3), the National Park Service Dispatch Center received an emergency call about a possible drowning at the Special Events Beach. This area is a part of Boulder Beach on the Nevada side of Lake Mead. 

National Park Service Rangers and Nevada Department of Wildlife Wardens responded with a total of four vessels within 10 minutes of the call.  Additional Rangers, Wardens, and Emergency Medical Service personnel also responded to the beach area in vehicles.   

A personal watercraft (PWC) without a rider was adrift when Rangers and Wardens arrived on scene.  Witnesses on other PWCs were able to tell Rangers the general area the man was last seen.

About an hour after the original call came in, the body of the 44-year-old Las Vegas Man was recovered in 15 feet of water about 100 yards from the shoreline.  He was not wearing a life jacket. 

This is what we know at this time:

• A 44-year-old Las Vegas man and his female companion were launching PWCs at the Special Events Beach at Lake Mead.  The victim’s PWC became disabled. The victim may have been in the water trying to determine what the problem was. 
• Several witnesses on PWCs, and on the beach, saw him disappear into the water.  Several visitors on PWCs tried to locate him.
• Rangers and Wardens recovered his body in 15 feet of water.

At this time he is presumed drowned, however, the Clark County Coroner will determine the cause of death. This is all we know, an update will be sent when more information is known.

The National Park Service is investigating this fatality and the Clark County Coroner will determine the cause of death. This is the 11^th fatality of the year at Lake Mead National Recreation Area.  If this is a confirmed drowning, it will be the first drowning of the year.

Rangers and Wardens want to remind all visitors to Lake Mead National Recreation Area to always wear your life jacket.