70°F
weather icon Clear

Identity of Lake Mead drowning victim is released

The National Park Service has released the name of a Lake Mead drowning victim.

Duwyenie Olson, 49, of Peach Springs, Ariz., drowned in choppy water near South Cove on Wednesday, said park spokesman Andrew Munoz.

The survival of three other people in the boat illustrates the importance of wearing life jackets , according to Arizona Game and Fish Boating Law Administrator Kevin Bergerson.

Olson was the only person aboard the 16-foot fishing and ski boat who was not wearing a life jacket when heavy wind pounded the bow of the vessel with water about 8:30 p.m. Wednesday. He slipped under the water after the vessel capsized, Bergerson said.

Olson's 6-year-old granddaughter and 3-year-old grandson, and the children's grandmother, made it to shore where they were rescued the next morning.

"While this story does have a tragic ending, the good news is that the family's decision to wear life jackets saved three lives," Bergerson said.

THE LATEST