Drowning Incident on Lake Tahoe
On the afternoon of Monday, July 5, 2021, a young man from Northern California lost his life in a boating incident. The drowning incident took place on Lake Tahoe near Secret Cove. The young man had been enjoying an afternoon on the boat with several other teenagers. The victim was identified by The Washoe County Regional Medical Examiner’s Office as a 17-year-old resident of Greenbrae, California. It has since been learned that he was going to be a senior at Redwood High School in Larkspur, California, and had been a member of the school’s baseball and football teams.
According to a public information officer from the Nevada Department of Wildlife, the teen fell from the boat when he attempted to change seats while the vessel was in motion. There are reports that at the time he was moving, the boat hit a rogue wave, the impact of which threw him overboard.
Once in the water, according to witnesses, the victim began to struggle almost immediately – it is unknown if this was due to the impact with the water, or from the shock of being immersed in very cold water. His friends on the boat turned the vessel around right away and were able to reach him quickly. Sadly, by that time he was already under the water. When they pulled him onto the boat it appeared that he had already drowned.
A distress call was placed shortly after 6:00 p.m. from Secret Cove. The boat sped to Sand Harbor, where CPR was performed and medical transport awaited. The victim died before he reached Incline Village Community Hospital. Personnel from the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office had been the first agency to arrive at the scene, and they were assisted by the Washoe County Sheriff’s Office (WCSO).
Watch the YouTube video. KTVU Fox 2 uploaded the clip below, which is their report on the tragic boating incident.
Investigation Into Lake Tahoe Drowning Continues
The primary investigating agency for the incident is the Nevada Department of Wildlife, and WCSO is assisting. One of the issues they will look at is whether the cold water temperature played a role in the deadly incident.
Personal Flotation Devices Save Lives
In light of this terrible tragedy, safety officials would like to remind the public of the importance of wearing a life jacket when boating. The deceased had not been wearing one at the time he went overboard. When anyone enters the water unexpectedly, the odds of survival are much higher if that person is wearing a properly fitted life vest.
South Lake Tahoe Personal Injury Lawyer
Thank you for reading. I’m Ed Smith, a South Lake Tahoe personal injury lawyer. We are saddened to report on this terrible drowning incident on the lake. We always think of the grieving families after such a tragedy. There are so many dangers on our roads and our waterways, and sometimes bad things happen, but it is always more difficult to understand when such a young life ends. Sometimes in situations involving fatal car or boat crashes that were partially caused by negligence, there could exist a claim for wrongful death. No amount of money will ever erase the pain of losing a loved one. Families often do not realize that following a sudden and untimely death there can be unexpected expenses that may cause financial problems for the family left behind. If your family has suffered a loss due to a tragic accident, call us for compassionate, free, and friendly legal advice. We have been advocating for the injured and the bereaved for nearly four decades. Our local number is (530) 392-9400. From outside the region, use our toll-free line: (800) 404-5400.
Photo Attribution: https://pixabay.com/photos/lake-tahoe-tourism-reflections-4072637/
mm llo [cs 638]