On 5/29/10 at approximately 1634 hours I was dispatched to a possible submersion at Cheney Lake.  I was advised it occurred in the area of Fish Cove located on northeast part of lake.  Upon arrival at Fish Cove boat ramp the subject was not located.  Myself and other emergency responders were advised the accident occurred at a location to the south of Fish Cove.  I went to this location and made contact with subject who advised me that her family were boating and tubing south of Fish Cove off of a point about 100-300 yards from shore.  Subject advised me that there were 3 occupants in the boat, and 2 persons being towed by boat on a tube.  

Subject told me that Operator was operating the boat, and that subject’s daughter was seated in front section of the boat.  Subject was seated in the rear of the boat to help watch the persons on the tube.  Two people, 10, were riding on the tube.  Victim was on rear of tube and the other tuber was in front of him on tube.  It was estimated that they were pulling the tube at 5-10 mph.  Subject advised that at one point the tube flipped forward and one person fell off of the tube.  Victim then jumped off tube to get the other tuber.  At this time Operator stopped boat and jumped off back of boat to assist getting them out of water.  

Operator started swimming to assist the first victim who was wearing a PFD.  Operator had Subject relax on his back as he tried to swim with him back to boat.  At this time Subject was in boat with her daughter.  Subject was unable to get boat started and continued to drift further away from persons in the water.  Operator realized Victim was having problems and pushed the first tuber towards boat because he had a PFD and went to assist Victim.  Operator advised before he got to Victim he noticed his eyes had rolled to back of his head and his lips were purple.  Operator advised Victim then went under and never surfaced again.  Operator stayed in water for several minutes looking for him but could not locate him.  Subject was finally able to get boat running and came back to get first tuber and Operator from the water.  They than went to shore for help.  Subject stated that during the incident she heard Victim state something about a cramp.  Subject also stated that there was no alcohol in boat and that the occupants had not consumed alcohol.  It appears that failure to wear PFD contributed to drowning.  Photos of boat taken.

Haven                         