CPW conducting sonar search after possible drowning reported at Lake Pueblo State Park

Justin Reutter, Pueblo Chieftain
·2 min read

Colorado Parks and Wildlife is conducting a search and rescue operation after a possible drowning was reported at Lake Pueblo State Park's south fishing area.

An initial call came in at 7:10 p.m. Thursday, according to Dean Miller, spokesperson for CPW's southeast region.

Park boat patrol teams were on the scene Thursday night conducting a grid search with sonar, Miller said. CPW's marine evidence team was also on the scene with additional sonar and an underwater drone.

"We will continue an active search as long as it takes," Miller said.

If a drowning is confirmed, it will be the fourth at the lake in just over a month. The last was Daniel Duane Strawn, who was found at Rock Creek Cove floating unconscious on the afternoon of June 7. He was pronounced dead on the scene despite life-saving efforts.

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Prior to that, Derrick Lee Vigil, 28, drowned when his fishing boat capsized at Lake Pueblo on May 30, and Manuel DeJesus Villanueva Miranda, 53, died May 14 after he went into the lake to help his two children and their friends as they struggled to swim in rough waters.

None of the latter three victims were wearing life jackets at the time of their apparent drownings, according to CPW.

How to stay safe at Lake Pueblo this summer, according to CPW

  • Wear a life jacket.

  • Put a whistle on your jacket so you can call for help.

  • Be aware of your surroundings — the water gets deep quickly.

  • Be aware of the weather, high winds and storms can come up fast.

  • Check your boat and all required boating safety gear.

  • Avoid boating alone and tell someone where you are going and when you will return.

  • Boat sober. Alcohol use is the leading contributing factor in recreational boating deaths.

  • Know that stand-up paddleboards are considered vessels in Colorado and require a life jacket on board at all times.

  • Protect yourself from the dangers of cold water immersion and shock. Regardless of your age or experience level, cold water can quickly create a drowning emergency.

More public safety news: Pueblo man pleads guilty to vehicular homicide in 2023 crash

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Questions, comments, or story tips? Contact Justin at jreutterma@gannett.com. Follow him on X, formerly known as Twitter, @jayreutter1. Support local news, subscribe to the Pueblo Chieftain at subscribe.chieftain.com.

This article originally appeared on The Pueblo Chieftain: Search underway after possible drowning reported at Lake Pueblo