Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW) has located and recovered the body of a boater after a boat capsize incident on Lake Pueblo State Park near Pedro’s Point on Friday.

According to a press release from CPW, initial 911 calls came in at 12:48 p.m. A survivor of the incident had self-rescued by swimming to shore about 100 yards away and waving down another boater, who picked the survivor up called 911, and headed to the south marina.

Officers were headed on scene with a sonar-equipped patrol boat when they were waved down by the civilian boat taking the survivor to the south marina. They were quickly briefed about the one missing boater from the capsized boat.

The officers initiated a sonar grid search and radioed details to other first responders, including a UCHealth Lifeline helicopter. The rescued boater was evaluated by first responders.

The CPW Maritime Emergency Response Team continued their search with an Underwater Remotely Operated Vehicle. They located and recovered the body of the second boater at around 9:23 p.m. They body was turned over to the Pueblo County Coroner. The body of a dog was also recovered from underneath the capsized boat earlier in the night.

“Colorado Parks and Wildlife offers our condolences to the family and friends of the victim, and everyone involved in this tragic incident,” said Joe Stadterman, Lake Pueblo State Park manager, in a press release.

The capsized boat was a 14-foot flatbottom fishing boat with a 6-horsepower engine and trolling motor. CPW said that it was swamped by whitecaps. The boat did have lifejackets but they were not worn.

CPW also wrote that they encourage park visitors participating in water recreation activities to always wear a life jacket, which keep your airway clear of water and support your body if you stop swimming or become unconscious.

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