18-year-old drowns as he becomes fatigued swimming in lake, Missouri officials say

An 18-year-old man drowned as he was swimming in a northeast Missouri lake, officials said.

The drowning happened around 5 p.m. Sunday, May 19, as Gabriel Parker was attempting to swim the width of Clarence Lake in Shelby County, according to the Missouri State Highway Patrol.

Parker went under water when he became fatigued, officials said. Other swimmers were unable to rescue him.

First responders were called to the lake and a diver pulled Parker’s body out of the water, according to the highway patrol. Parker, of Shelbina, was pronounced dead just after 6 p.m.

The drowning was the ninth reported this year by Missouri State Highway Patrol officials. The victims’ ages range from 18 to 76.

Clarence Lake is about a 160-mile drive northeast from Kansas City.

What to know about drownings

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 May 20, 2024 at 6:17 AM with the headline "18-year-old drowns as he becomes fatigued swimming in lake, Missouri officials say."