Man drowns in Lake Mead as winds sink boat over Father’s Day weekend, officials say

A Lake Mead boater drowned as two others swam to shore over Father’s Day weekend, officials said.

The man was boating at the Nevada lake’s South Cove on Saturday, June 18, when a strong gust of wind caused the boat to start sinking, the National Park Service said.

“National Park Service rangers received reports of a tri-hull vessel approximately 15 feet long taking on water over the bow due to high winds,” park rangers said in a news release. “Winds on Saturday were reportedly between 23 – 28 mph with gusts as high as 36 – 40 mph out on the lake.”

Three men were on the boat when it started to sink, park officials said.

Two of the men were able to get back to shore. The third man didn’t make it.

Park rangers used sonar to find the man’s body. The body was recovered, and the coroner will determine an official cause of death.

Officials did not identify the man.

A day after the man drowned, a different man’s body was found in the desert near Lake Mead, KSNV reported. Police found the man’s body Sunday, June 19, with “signs of trauma,” according to KTNV.

The police homicide unit is investigating the body, FOX 5 reported. The county coroner will identify the body.

Lake Mead is the largest reservoir in the U.S., according to the National Park Service. It encompasses more than 750 miles of shoreline. In 2021, more than 7.6 million people visited the recreation area.

This story was originally published June 21, 2022 at 11:15 AM with the headline "Man drowns in Lake Mead as winds sink boat over Father’s Day weekend, officials say."