Body found underwater at Steamboat Lake State Park

Park rangers at Steamboat Lake State Park in northern Colorado uncovered a body in the water on Saturday according to Colorado Parks and Wildlife Rangers located the body under what they called a bellyboat a small inflatable tube often used for fishing according to a news release from the agency The person was secured to the inflatable with a safety strap The victim was removed from the water and declared dead on scene state administrators commented Rangers believe the person drowned but mentioned the Routt County Coroner s Office will identify the victim and release the official cause of death at a later date Onlookers recounted investigators that the victim was fishing Saturday near the Rainbow Ridge area on the west side of the park when strong wind gusts were shared in the area according to the release State representatives disclosed the victim was not wearing a life jacket The case the previous day is tragic and we extend our deepest sympathies to the victim s family and friends David Goff a park ranger at Steamboat Lake State Park stated in the release We continue to urge everyone to pay close attention to weather conditions and to wear a PFD while recreating on the water Spring and early summer water recreation can be dangerous due to frigid water temperatures and rapidly changing weather conditions While the weather is warming up the water remains very cold and a person entering the cold water can promptly experience shock lose the ability to swim and danger hypothermia state executives stated State administrators also warned people in the release to wear a personal flotation device while boating kayaking and paddle boarding or during other water recreation exercises in Colorado even when it s not required According to state evidence of past boating accident deaths could have been prevented if a life jacket had been worn and nine out of people who drown each year are not wearing life jackets Related Articles Colorado police shot someone every days in facts shows displaced after apartment fire in Aurora Thornton police seek suspect after alleged road-rage shooting shooters shots Man sentenced to years in prison in deadly Five Points shootout Trump Department of Justice sues Colorado Denver officers over immigration laws Sign up to get crime news sent straight to your inbox each day