21-Year-Old Missing Kayaker's Remains Found in Colorado After Falling into Lake Granby amid 'Heavy Winds'

Grand County Sheriff’s Office

The Grand County Sheriff’s Office said in apost on X(formerly known as Twitter) on Sunday that they received a 911 call around 6:45 a.m. local time, reporting that there was a male in the water near Deer Island. The authorities were unable to conduct a thorough search at the time due to “heavy winds and choppy waters,” per the sheriff’s office’spress release.

The following day, at approximately 7:30 p.m. responders located the man’s remains on the lake bed. The authorities then retrieved the deceased’s body with the use of an underwater remote-operated vehicle (ROV), according to apress releasefrom the sheriff’s office.

The kayaker’s body was then placed in the care of the Grand County Coroner’s Office, and the deceased’s family arrived in Colorado following the discovery. The coroner’s office will release the deceased’s identity and his death cause and manner at a later time.

Grand County Sheriff/ Twitter

In the press release, Grand County Sheriff Brett Schroetlin said, “Unfortunately, over the last several years, Grand County has experienced a significant number of water-related emergencies and recoveries."

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In apress releaseon Sunday, the sheriff’s office said that the man and his friend had spent the night on Deer Island in the middle of the lake and were attempting to return to their car on the shore when the incident happened.

“As they attempted to kayak across the open water, the wind caused his friend’s kayak to capsize and he fell into the lake,” the sheriff’s office said. “The reporting party was unable to save his friend before he went underwater, but was able to get himself back to shore."

A rescue operation underway in the lake.Grand County Sheriff’s Office

“While responding to the area, responders experienced massive snow fall, blowing and drifting conditions and zero or near-zero visibility,” the sheriff’s office said. “Responders were able to search the area with the assistance of Colorado Parks and Wildlife and a boat from Beacon Landing Marina, however the heavy winds and choppy water that initially affected the victim, also made it difficult for rescuers.”

source: people.com