Though I’ve written extensively about the potential for drownings in swimming pools, it is important to point out that fatal accidents can occur in natural bodies of water as well. Many Las Vegas and Clark County residents prefer to head for the great outdoors for their aquatic recreational activities. Unfortunately, sometimes a relaxing day at the lake can turn tragic in the blink of an eye.
That’s what happened on August 30 at Lake Mohave. Authorities with the National Park Service say that a 20-year old man drowned at Six Mile Cove. Witnesses say that the unidentified man was underwater for at least five minutes before others noticed him missing. That illuminates the scary but inescapable fact that five minutes is all it takes for a human being to die from a lack of oxygen underwater. Though the man was pulled out of the water by witnesses, attempts to resuscitate him by Clark County Fire Department workers and park rangers were unsuccessful. His death marks the fifth drowning in August and eighth of 2010 in the Lake Mead National Recreation Area.
The article didn’t state exactly what caused the man to drown. But common causes of lake drownings include:
- fatigue
- the inability to swim in deep water
- entanglement in underwater weeds
- head injuries sustained by diving into shallow waters
- boating accidents
Sometimes, a dangerous condition (such as a strong current or underwater foliage) can exist in a natural body of water. It is the responsibility of the municipality in charge of the recreation area to post warning signs concerning any of these hazards (or in some cases restrict access to these areas altogether).
If a loved one has drowned at a lake and you feel that someone else’s recklessness or negligence was the cause, you should contact a wrongful death lawyer to see about filing suit against those responsible.