RANGERS RESCUE 6 FROM LAKE MEAD
* High res photo available at: https://flickr.com/lakemeadnra
LAS VEGAS - A Bakersfield, Calif. family is safe after being rescued from Lake Mead. Six members of the family went into the water after their boat was swamped by 4-foot waves created by high winds on the lake. The boat sank leaving them in the water for about an hour as rangers responded to their location.
"All had life jackets on which most certainly saved their lives," said Andrew Muñoz, spokesman for Lake Mead National Recreation Area.
National Park Service rangers responded after receiving the report at about 2:15 p.m. The original report was made to marina staff at Las Vegas Boat Harbor, who in turn reported it to the National Park Service. The incident occurred near Castle Cove on the Arizona side of Lake Mead in the Boulder Basin.
There was one injury, a woman in her 60's suffered minor lacerations and exhaustion. She was transported to the hospital by ambulance.
A National Weather Service wind advisory has been in effect since this morning, which calls for 20-35 mph winds with gusts over 50 mph. The advisory remains in effect through 9 p.m. tonight.
The National Park Service urges boaters to check the weather before heading out on the lake. Weather reports are available on the park's information radio station on AM 1610.
- NPS -
LOCATION OF INCIDENT: 36-04.380N, 114-43.769W
http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&source=s_q&hl=en&geocode=&q=36+04.380N,+114+43.769W
Source: U.S. Department of the Interior, National Park Service
