One man is dead after a Friday evening boating accident at Lake Pueblo State Park, according to Colorado Parks and Wildlife.
High winds overturned a boat with three anglers on Lake Pueblo at about 8 p.m. Friday, near Bogg’s Creek Cove, according to a news release from the agency.
None of them were wearing life jackets, agency officials said in the release.
Two adults were able to swim to shore, but the third was missing for nearly 23 hours before the state wildlife agency’s Marine Evidence Recovery Team found his body, the release stated.
The search — which involved state wildlife officers, Pueblo County sheriff’s deputies and a crew from the Pueblo West Fire Department — used multiple boats with sonar capabilities, an underwater robot, a drone to scan shorelines and thermal cameras to find the missing fisherman.
Crews found the victim at about 6:30 p.m. Saturday. He will be identified by the Pueblo County Coroner’s Office.
“Our hearts go out to the loved ones of the victim,” Lake Pueblo State Park Manager Joe Stadterman stated in the news release. “Any loss of life in our state parks is a terrible day.”
Everyone on the water should wear a life jacket in Colorado, including boaters, kayakers and paddle boarders, state officials said.
Life jackets are required when operating or riding in a boat, according to Colorado Parks and Wildlife. One U.S. Coast Guard-approved life jacket must be available for each person on board.
Lake Pueblo visitors can use free life jackets from the park’s loaner station.
“Most boating accidents happen when someone falls overboard,” the agency’s website states. “A life jacket will keep your airway clear of water and your head above water, and it will support your body should you stop swimming or become unconscious.”
Roughly nine out of 10 people who drown in Colorado are not wearing a life jacket and 80% of boating accident deaths could have been avoided if a life jacket had been worn, according to wildlife officials.
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