The body of a paddleboarder and his dog were tragically found in the reservoir at Eleven Mile State Park after a severe wind storm swept through the area on Friday, as confirmed by Colorado Parks and Wildlife officials.
The man was part of a group of three individuals on the Eleven Mile Canyon Reservoir when the storm hit around 1 p.m. on Friday, causing them to be blown into the water, according to a statement released by state officials.
Located near the town of Lake George off of U.S. 24, approximately 40 miles west of Colorado Springs, the park was the scene of the tragic incident.
While one person managed to swim to shore wearing a life jacket, rangers were able to rescue a second paddleboarder who was also wearing a life jacket and connected to a board.
After an extensive 11-hour search, the man’s body was recovered by Parks and Wildlife’s marine evidence recovery team late Friday. Unfortunately, he was not wearing a life jacket at the time.
Officials emphasized the importance of wearing a life jacket while engaging in water activities like boating, kayaking, paddleboarding, and swimming in Colorado due to the unpredictability of weather conditions, especially sudden and strong wind gusts at the park. Visitors are urged to check weather forecasts before venturing outdoors.
The Park County coroner’s office will disclose the man’s identity at a later time.
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