RedactedNarrative: Investigation conducted by Belle Fourche WCO reveals that on the evening of July 10, 2020 at approximately 6:00 PM 01 & his fiancee, P1, boarded a jet ski (Sport Cruiser) along the shoreline of Belle Fourche Reservoir for what they said was to be a short ride together. 
  
  They were advised by the owner of the boat to put on PFDs - they declined. The boaters also did not utilize the safety kill switch lanyard. The jet ski has a small bench type seat which both people sat side by side. The seat is small for two adult occupants. 
  
  They operated straight out from shore. At that time everyone on shore was preoccupied & no one observed their ride. P1 said she could not recall exactly why she & 01 fell off the jet ski but believed it to be attributed to waves & a direction change/turn. 
  
  Both 01 & P1 fell off the machine at a distance between 100 & 200 yards from shore. P1 was able to hold onto the side of the jet ski while it drifted/motored away from the location of 01 who was believed to be approximately 100 feet away. 
  
  While P1 struggled to hold onto the jet ski she & several people on shore could hear 01 yelling for help. The owner of the jet ski put on a PFD & swam to the jet ski/P1s location while two men put on PFD ' s & swam to 01s location. The jet ski owner was able to get P1 safely to shore. While swimming to the location of 01 the first swimmer witnessed him go under water at approximately 100 
  feet away. 
  
  The swimmer could still see the hat that 01 was wearing floating on the surface. The swimmer went to that location where he could see 01 below the surface approximately 6-8 feet down. The swimmer swam down & was able to bring him to the surface. 01 was lifeless at that time. The swimmer began chest compressions from behind. 
  
  The second swimmer & two kayakers arrived to assist. The group floated 01 to shore while the swimmer continued chest compressions. When on shore the entire group continued conducting CPR until an ambulance arrived & took over. 01 was put on life support after arriving at the hospital. Once family arrived said support was discontinued & he passed away. 
  
  This WCO believes the contributing factors to this drowning is Overloading, No PFD use, lack of experience on a PWC & failure to use the safety kill switch lanyard associated with the PWC. No one interviewed believed alcohol to be a factor in the accident. An autopsy & toxicology will be attached to this report once it becomes available. 
  
  BAC was found to be .057.  Although alcohol was found to be involved, it was not listed as a contributing factor to the accident (<.08).
  