MARICOPA COUNTY, Ariz. — A search is underway at Lake Pleasant for a man who jumped into the lake and never resurfaced, according to the Maricopa County Sheriff's Office.
MCSO said deputies from the Lake Patrol Unit were called due to a possible drowning just after 2 p.m. on Saturday.
Witnesses told deputies that a man jumped from their boat to retrieve a hat that had fallen into the water and never came back up.
They also said the man was not wearing a life vest when he dove in.
The Peoria Fire-Medical Department told 12News that the man has not been found and that MCSO is still looking for the man.
No other details have been released including the identity of the man deputies are looking for.
This is a developing story and more details will be added as they are made available.
Drowning Prevention Tips
Drowning is the leading cause of death for children between ages 1-4 aside from birth defects, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Three children die every day as a result of drowning. Here are some tips from the CDC on how to protect children around water:
Learn life-saving skills.
Everyone should know the basics of swimming (floating, moving through the water) and CPR.
Fence it off.
Install a four-sided isolation fence, with self–closing and self–latching gates, around backyard swimming pools. This can help keep children away from the area when they aren’t supposed to be swimming. Pool fences should be completely separate the house and play area from the pool.
Life jackets are a must.
Make sure kids wear life jackets in and around natural bodies of water, such as lakes or the ocean, even if they know how to swim. Life jackets can be used in and around pools for weaker swimmers too.
Keep a close watch
When kids are in or near water (including bathtubs), closely supervise them at all times. Because drowning happens quickly and quietly, adults watching kids in or near water should avoid distracting activities like reading books, talking on the phone, or using alcohol and drugs.
Water safety
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