Colorado Parks and Wildlife is investigating a fatal boating accident that took place at Prewitt Reservoir on Tuesday afternoon.

According to a press release on the matter, the situation stemmed from a boat launch at the northeast Colorado reservoir, located at Prewitt Reservoir State Wildlife area. A witness report came in related to the incident at about 1:30 p.m.

Witnesses stated that two adult males were seen attempting to launch the boat, with one male in the watercraft and the other on the dock. As the boat started to drift away in the water, the man who was positioned on the dock leapt into the reservoir in order to swim out to the boat.

At that point, the man in the water started to struggle with swimming and went underwater. This prompted the man in the boat to jump into the water and swim toward where the man was last seen.

This second man then started to struggle, ultimately rescued by another boat. The other man remained missing.

Colorado Parks and Wildlife officers launched multiple boats equipped with sonar in attempt to find the missing man, with assistance provided by Sterling Fire Department divers, as well. His body was recovered by about 3:15 p.m.

Neither of the men were wearing a life jacket at the time of the fatal incident.

The Washington County Coroner’s Office will release the identity of the deceased and cause of death at a later date.

This case bears similarities to others that have involved cold water shock resulting in someone’s death. Wearing a life jacket is crucial in Colorado given the cold temperatures of the water in the Centennial State and how this can immobilize even skilled swimmers.

Condolences go out to those impacted by this death.

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