Park rangers at Steamboat Lake State Park in northern Colorado found a body in the water on Saturday, according to Colorado Parks and Wildlife.
Rangers found the body under what they called a “bellyboat” — a small, inflatable tube often used for fishing, according to a news release from the agency. The person was secured to the inflatable with a safety strap.
The victim was removed from the water and declared dead on scene, state officials said.
Rangers believe the person drowned, but said the Routt County Coroner’s Office will identify the victim and release the official cause of death at a later date.
Witnesses told investigators that the victim was fishing Saturday near the Rainbow Ridge area on the west side of the park when strong wind gusts were reported in the area, according to the release. State officials said the victim was not wearing a life jacket.
“The incident yesterday is tragic, and we extend our deepest sympathies to the victim’s family and friends,” David Goff, a park ranger at Steamboat Lake State Park, stated in the release. “We continue to urge everyone to pay close attention to weather conditions and to wear a PFD while recreating on the water.”
Spring and early summer water recreation can be dangerous due to frigid water temperatures and rapidly changing weather conditions.
While the weather is warming up, the water remains very cold and a person entering the cold water can quickly experience shock, lose the ability to swim and risk hypothermia, state officials said.
State officials also warned people in the release to wear a personal flotation device while boating, kayaking and paddle boarding — or during other water recreation activities in Colorado — even when it’s not required.
According to state data, 80% of past boating accident deaths could have been prevented if a life jacket had been worn, and nine out of 10 people who drown each year are not wearing life jackets.
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