BOULDER CITY, Nevada -A 17-year-old boy from North Las Vegas was recovered from Lake Mohave July 1 after he went missing June 30.
Around 5:20 p.m. June 30, the Lake Mead National Recreation Area Interagency Communication Center received a call from a witness who reported that the teen went underwater while swimming across Morning Star Cove on Lake Mohave. The witness said the teen didn't resurface.
The boy was with a group of friends who were cliff jumping in the Placer Cove area. They decided to try to swim across Morning Star Cove to another cliff about 50 yards away. The teen started having difficulties. Two other friends took turns trying to help him to safety, but they could not hold on, and he went underwater.
National Park Service rangers responded to the scene and conducted an immediate search. Search crews confirmed the point where the victim was last seen around 7:30 p.m. June 30. There is little to no visibility underwater at night;therefore, the search was postponed until daylight.
Around 10:50 a.m. July 1, Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department Search and Rescue divers located the body underwater. The victim was recovered at 11:11 a.m.He was not wearing a life jacket.
The Clark County Medical Examiner will confirm the victim's identity and determine his cause of death. The incident is under investigation.
"It is tragic that three Las Vegas Valley teens have lost their lives in cliff jumping-related incidents this year at Lake Mohave," said Christie Vanover, public affairs officer, Lake Mead National Recreation Area. "Cliff jumping is very dangerous. For those who decide to cliff jump, despite the dangers, we ask that they please wear a life jacket. Climbing up and down the 20-30-foot cliffs in 110-degree temperatures can quickly drain the body of energy, making it challenging to swim. A life jacket can, and most likely will, save your life."
-NPS-
Source: U.S. Department of the Interior, National Park Service
