FATALITY: SWIMMER PRESUMED DROWNED AT SANDY COVE
LAS VEGAS - On Aug. 18, 2012, at approximately 11:33 pm, the Lake Mead National Recreation Area Interagency Communication Center received a Marine Band Radio emergency call reporting a male had gone missing while swimming in the waters of Lake Mead at Sandy Cove, within the Lake Mead National Recreation Area. National Park Service Rangers began a response and coordinated search immediately after receiving the call. The initial search efforts were postponed at 3:00 am.
This morning the search resumed with the assistance of the Las Vegas Metro Police Department Search and Rescue Unit Dive Team. This afternoon a body was located in 30 feet of water by the dive team, and recovery efforts were begun.
The Clark County Office of the Coroner/Medical Examiner has identified the victim as Kiangsak Ratana, age 46, from Las Vegas, NV. He was not wearing a personal flotation device according to witnesses when he was swimming. Park Rangers are continuing to conduct an investigation to determine the cause of the presumed drowning.
The National Park Service advises wearing a U.S. Coast Guard approved personal flotation device at all times while in the water regardless of the water depth.
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Source: U.S. Department of the Interior, National Park Service
