RedactedNarrative: SYNOPSIS
  
  On Sunday, May 15, 2022, a rapidly rotating dust devil traveled across Grindstone Lake, New Mexico. The dust devil caused the operator and passenger of Vessel A to be ejected from their kayak. The operator of Vessel A was not wearing a life jacket and does not know how to swim. He stopped breathing and lost consciousness while submersed in the water. He was admitted to a hospital for treatment. Ruidoso Police Department, Ruidoso Fire Department, and Ruidoso EMS responded to this incident.
  
  NARRATIVE
  
  On Sunday, May 15, 2022, a dust devil formed near Grindstone Lake, New Mexico. At approximately 3:06 p.m., the dust devil moved onto the lake surface and capsized Vessel A. The operator and passenger of Vessel A (a kayak), were ejected from the vessel. The operator of Vessel A was not wearing a life jacket and does not know how to swim. His life jacket was blown out of reach. The passenger of Vessel A was wearing a life jacket and was uninjured.
  
  Meanwhile, the operator of Vessel A stopped breathing and lost consciousness while submersed in the water. Another boater rescued him and performed CPR until he began breathing on his own. At approximately 3:13 p.m. Ruidoso EMS arrived and transported him to Lincoln County Medical Center in Ruidoso, New Mexico. He was hospitalized for three days.
  
  In a four-minute video recording of the incident, a well defined dust devil can be seen lofting inner tubes, paddleboards and other objects high into the air as it travels across the lake. The powerful, rapidly rotating winds form whitecaps that appear large enough to capsize a kayak or similarly sized vessel.
  
  A review of weather records from the Smokey Bear Remote Automated Weather Station in Ruidoso (located 2 miles from the incident) at 3:00 p.m. on May 15, 2022 indicate the weather was clear, dry, and hot (Air temperature: 89°F; Fuel temperature: 108°F; Relative humidity: 3%; Solar radiation: 961 w/m2). Based on this data, the dry, sunbaked lakeshore exposed to full midday sun may have been capable of warming the air just above the surface to temperatures much higher than the ambient air temperature. These conditions are favorable for a dust devil to form.
  
  Based on my investigation, I believe the injury was caused by water submersion due to an involuntary fall off of Vessel A. Adverse weather conditions contributed to the event.
  
  End for Report