A 22-year-old Mexican citizen, Adolfo Conchas-Rodriguez, died while swimming at the Cottonwood Cove swim beach yesterday. The victim decided to swim to the buoys north of the launch ramp. He was not wearing a life jacket. His friends and family members noticed they could no longer see him and swam out to try to find him. His friends found him dead in about 10 feet of water. Cottonwood cove is located on the Nevada side of Lake Mohave. Conchas-Rodriguez was in the area visiting family members from North Las Vegas, Nevada.
At this time, rangers do not believe alcohol or drugs were a factor in this presumed drowning. The Clark County Coroner will make the official determination about the cause of death.
“Unfortunately, this tragedy plays it self out over and over at Lake Mead National Recreation Area, and other bodies of water. Young people, especially young males, consistently overestimate their swimming ability and underestimate the distance to a buoy or other point of reference. Swimming in an open body of water is a lot different than swimming in a backyard swimming pool. There is no edge to grab onto when you run into trouble. The majority of fatalities like this one could be avoided if people would wear life jackets. Our condolences go out to his family and friends, and we hope others will learn from this preventable tragedy," said Chief Ranger Mary Hinson.
This is the second drowning and 12th fatality this year at Lake Mead National Recreation Area.
Source: U.S. Department of the Interior, National Park Service
