Saturday, June 10, Government Wash Area (Nevada side) of Lake Mead:
At about 5:03 p.m., Saturday, June 10, the NPS Dispatch Center received a call that a young man had gone into the water and never resurfaced. The victim, 24-year-old Jose F. Fajardo-Jimenez of Las Vegas, Nevada, was with friends near the Government Wash area of Lake Mead. According to witnesses, Fajardo-Jimenez could not swim and was not wearing a life jacket. Witnesses also told Park Rangers that none of the people in his group knew how to swim. NPS Rangers and Nevada Department of Wildlife Wardens responded to the scene but were unable to locate the victim. The NPS Dive Team was called in and recovered his body at 7:03 p.m. NPS Rangers want to remind all visitors that swimming areas often have drop offs that can surprise people who are wading out into the water. It is important to wear a life jacket, especially if you do not know how to swim, to avoid these types of accidents. This was the 13th fatality at Lake Mead NRA this calendar year.
Sunday, June 11, Katherine Landing Long-Term Trailer Village (Arizona side of Lake Mohave:
At 7:24 a.m., Sunday June 11, the NPS Dispatch Center received a call from the general manager of the Long-Term Trailer Village at Katherine Landing. The general manager reported that at about 5 a.m. he was notified by the employer of the 49-year-old victim, that he had not reported to work. He did not respond to repeated phone calls or requests to answer the door. The general manager became concerned. He entered the trailer at about 7:20 a.m. and found the body of the victim. He called the NPS Dispatch Center for help at 7:24 a.m. NPS Rangers responded to the scene at 7:40 a.m. and the Bullhead City Fire Department arrived on scene at 7:50 a.m. At this time, NPS Rangers do not suspect foul play and have initially classified the cause of death as unknown. The Mohave County Medical Examiner will determine the exact cause of death. His name is being withheld pending family notification. This is all we know at this time. When more information is available an update will be sent. This is the 14th fatality at Lake Mead NRA this calendar year.
Lake Mead National Recreation Area is a unit of the National Park Service
Source: U.S. Department of the Interior, National Park Service
