Man may have drowned in Lake Pleasant, adding to safety concerns on Memorial Day weekend

Laura Daniella Sepulveda, Arizona Republic
·2 min read
A man may have drowned at Lake Pleasant on Saturday. Officials are searching for his body after he wasn't seen resurfacing after going underwater.
A man may have drowned at Lake Pleasant on Saturday. Officials are searching for his body after he wasn't seen resurfacing after going underwater.
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Officials are looking for the body of a man who possibly drowned at Lake Pleasant on Saturday.

Deputies with the Maricopa County Sheriff's Office first received reports of the incident at 11 a.m. The body of the man has not resurfaced as of Saturday afternoon, the sheriff's office said.

Witnesses reported the man went underwater without a life jacket.

Deputies are still on scene searching. The cause of the incident remains unknown.

The incident follows five deaths that have taken place at the lake throughout April and May.

The sheriff's office has urged lake visitors to follow lake safety measures to avoid more incidents.

Safety tips for lakegoers

For swimmers, Maricopa County Parks and Recreation advises these safety tips:

  • Always swim with a partner. Swimming alone can be unsafe.

  • Never leave young children unattended near water, and do not ask another child to supervise your children near water.

  • Avoid distractions when supervising children near water.

  • If a child goes missing, always check the water first.

  • Non-swimmers and inexperienced swimmers should always wear a life jacket or personal flotation device.

  • Protect your skin. While you're busy cooling off and having fun in the water, your skin is also soaking in the sun. Apply and reapply sunscreen frequently.

  • Wear a hat and sunglasses to keep the sun off of your face and out of your eyes.

  • Drink plenty of water regularly, even if you're not thirsty, to avoid dehydration. Just because you're floating in a cove of water does not mean your skin is absorbing enough to maintain your bodies water levels. Avoid drinks with caffeine and alcohol in them.

The sheriff's office will also be conducting a DUI Task Force at the lake throughout the weekend. Drinking alcohol while driving motorized boats is strictly prohibited, and life jackets are required for everyone.

There will be "zero tolerance" for violations of these rules, the sheriff's office said.

Reach breaking news reporter Laura Daniella Sepulveda at lsepulveda@lavozarizona.com  or on Twitter @lauradNews.

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This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Officials looking for man who may have drowned in Lake Pleasant