Divers pulled an unconscious man from the bottom of Boyd Lake about 42 minutes after he sank beneath the surface while swimming to buoys at a public beach, officials say.
The 21-year-old was not breathing and had no pulse when he was rushed to McKee Medical Center. He was declared dead at 1:36 p.m., according to the Larimer County Coroner’s Office.
The man was identified as Omar Felix of Evans.
Deputy Fire Marshall Scott Pringle of Loveland Fire and Rescue said Felix was swimming with a family member to the buoys, which are in water about 6 feet deep, when he began struggling.
The relative tried to grab onto the struggling man but was unable to hold him up, he said.
Loveland Dive Team divers using two boats searched for several minutes until the man was discovered about 50 yards from shore in water up to 8 feet deep, Pringle said.
Rescuers attempted CPR but could not resuscitate the man before he was taken in an ambulance, he said.
“Any time people are on or near the water they should always swim with a buddy and wear a life jacket,” Pringle said. “In this case a life jacket could have made a tremendous difference in the outcome.”
Kirk Mitchell: 303-954-1206 or kmitchell@denverpost.com
