Man vanishes in lake swimming after his remote-control boat, Illinois cops say

A 65-year-old man swimming to retrieve a remote-control boat died after sinking beneath the water at a lake on the Fourth of July, Illinois officials reported.

Deputies responded to 911 reports of a possible drowning at Lake Le-Aqua-Na State Park at 12:13 p.m. Tuesday, July 4, the Stephenson County Sheriff’s Office said in a news release.

Bystanders told deputies a man swimming outside a designated swim area on the lake to recover his boat began to struggle, then went under, officials said.

A deputy, Lena police officer and ambulance medic swam out after the man and pulled him to the surface, officials said. Onlookers in kayaks helped carry him to shore, but he could not be revived.

Myles Patrick of Freeport was pronounced dead at a hospital, sheriff’s deputies said. No other injuries were reported.

Lake Le-Aqua-Na State Park is about 130 miles northwest of Chicago.

What to know about drowning

At least 4,000 people die from drowning every year in the U.S., according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and drowning is a leading cause of death for children.

Some factors can make drowning more likely, including not knowing how to swim, a lack of close supervision, not wearing a life jacket and drinking alcohol while recreating near or in water.

The National Drowning Prevention Alliance said there are tips to help keep you safe in the water, including checking local weather conditions, never swimming alone and choosing the right equipment.

“Don’t hesitate to get out of the water if something doesn’t feel right,” the group said on its website. “Whether it’s that the current is getting rough, rain has started to fall, or your body is just not responding like you would like it to due to fatigue or muscle cramps, then just leave and return to the water another day. It’s always a good thing to trust your instincts.”

This story was originally published July 5, 2023 at 1:12 PM with the headline "Man vanishes in lake swimming after his remote-control boat, Illinois cops say."