A teenager who apparently drowned in Lake Pueblo on Sunday was swimming out of bounds in a non-designated area, state officials said today.
The 16-year-old victim, who’s name police have not released because of his age, was reported missing at about 4:50 p.m., according to a Colorado Parks and Wildlife media release.
Lake Pueblo State Park staff and Pueblo County Sheriff’s Office divers searched the Fishhook Cove area of the lake and found the boy at about 6:15 p.m., the release said.
He was taken by helicopter to St. Mary-Corwin Medical Center in Pueblo where he was pronounced dead.
The boy was swimming with friends outside a designated beach area, according to investigators.
“This tragedy draws attention to the importance of the regulations that limit swimming to designated beaches,” said Brad Henley, park manager.
Colorado State Parks’ swim regulations, which designate and limit areas, were created to protect swimmers from boaters, jet-skiers, hidden water hazards and high concentrations of bacteria among other dangers. Posted signs in the park designate swimming and non-swimming areas, officials said.
Kieran Nicholson: 303-954-1822 or knicholson@denverpost.com.
