Group sees dying man in water after he jumps in to cool off, CO officials say
A man spending time at a lake with a group died after jumping in the water to cool off, Colorado officials said.
Colorado Parks and Wildlife rangers responded to a 911 call about “CPR in progress” at Lake Pueblo State Park just after 2 p.m. Saturday, June 7, officials said in a news release.
A group was swimming and skiing in Rock Creek Cove when the man, who was not wearing a life jacket, jumped in the water because he was hot, according to officials.
Soon, the group noticed him “floating unconscious” in the lake, officials said.
A nearby boater helped pull the man into the boat, where they started CPR on the man, then called 911, officials said.
Less than six minutes after the 911 call, a ranger jumped on the boat and took over CPR efforts, officials said.
The ranger continued to perform CPR after the boat arrived at the North Boat Ramp, according to officials.
Despite efforts to save the man, he was pronounced dead on scene, officials said.
Pueblo County Coroner will determine the man’s official cause of death, according to officials.
“This death is under investigation, but it appears to be a tragic accident,” Lake Pueblo Park Manager Joe Stadterman said in the release. “We offer our condolences to the family and friends of this victim.”
Stadterman went on to say the “heartbreaking loss of life” highlights the importance of visitors wearing “life preservers when on or near the water,” officials said.
The man’s identity has not been publicly released.
Lake Pueblo State Park is about a 100-mile drive south from Denver.
