A woman who is in critical condition after a near drowning at Chatfield Reservoir on Friday has been identified as a doctor and mother of three from Parker.
Hope Cassel, 45, was with her three sons, ages, 14, 13 and 11, and an 11-year-old friend of the boys, on paddle boards off the swim beach at Chatfield Reservoir at about 1 p.m. “when a storm came up,” according to a news release from the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office. “Heavy wind, rain, lightning, thunder and hail occurred quickly. The storm caused large waves.”
The four boys, all wearing life vests, made it back to shore, but the mother did not.
Officials found the woman in the water, on the west end of the reservoir, unresponsive. She was transported to the hospital, where she remains in critical condition.
According to the update from the sheriff’s office, she was wearing “an inflatable life ring that could be activated by pulling a cord.” When Cassel was found, the ring had not been inflated.
The family dog, a golden retriever, was on the board with Cassel and has not been located.
Cassel is certified in obstetrics and gynecology, and has a practice in Parker, the Hope Women’s Health. describes her as a family woman who enjoys outdoor activities with her sons.
