SYNOPSIS

Operator left an inflatable raft to swim to shore.  Operator immediately drowned by all accounts.

NARRATIVE

On the 4th of July 2023 Operator and two others accessed a remote part of Bluewater Lake via an unmaintained trail with a GMC Yukon. They set up a picnic area on a piece of property owned by the Navajo Reservation. All three were consuming alcoholic beverages to the point of inebriation by the admission of the surviving parties, Subject1 and Subject2. They filled up an inflatable raft and floated east approximately one quarter of a mile. There was no safety equipment on board the raft and nobody on board was wearing a life jacket, nor were any PFDs brought with them on this excursion. At some point all three people were in the raft at one time. Operator told Subject2 he was going to race Subject2 back to the shore while he swam, and she paddled the boat. Operator left the raft. Operator did not resurface. Subject2 paddled to the shore and her and Subject1 walked the shoreline looking for Operator. There were no people or other boaters Subject1 or Subject2 could see. 

An unknown amount of time passed, and Subject1 saw Operator's head float above the surface of the water. Subject1 walked out waist deep in the water and retrieved an unconscious and unresponsive Operator. Subject2 and Subject1 attempted CPR, but Operator was still not breathing and did not have a pulse. They loaded Operator in the back passenger seat of the GMC Yukon and took him to Thoreau Fire Department approximately 12 miles away. 

Subject2 called 911 at approximately 1900 hours. Subject2 drove to the Thoreau Fire department on her own volition. Upon their arrival they unloaded Operator onto the parking lot and the McKinley County dispatcher (911 operator) helped Subject2 and Subject1 through more chest compressions and mouth to mouth resuscitation. McKinley County Sherriff's Department deputies arrived on scene and took over chest compressions. 

At approximately 1938 hours Dr. declared Operator deceased. 

Operator was released for after-care services. As Operator was being transferred into the Rollie service vehicle, emergency response personnel saw a small cut on the right back side of Operator's head. State police was notified and sent an investigation team out to investigate the incident the morning of the 5th of July 2023. I turned over all pertinent information to State Police crime scene investigators and provided them with a recorded statement.

Bluewater Lake
Thoreau                       