Authorities stress safety after multiple drownings over holiday weekend

The Grand River Dam Authority (GRDA) is stressing the importance of staying safe in water after multiple drownings over the 4th of July holiday weekend.

Recently, the GRDA recovered the body of Levi Gibson, 39, of Afton. According to GRDA Police, witnesses saw Gibson jump into the lake on Thursday to help a child who had fallen off a towed water surface. Gibson didn't resurface and his body was recovered near the Patricia Island area on Grand Lake around 5 p.m. Friday.

Another drowning on Thursday happened near the Flint Creek Waterpark. The GRDA said a 26-year-old male from Mexico was recovered from the water and pronounced dead on scene by emergency medical services.

A third drowning occurred on the Illinois River near the Edmondson Access Area. GRDA said a person who was underwater for a few minutes was rescued by bystanders.

The GRDA said an 18-year-old male from Oklahoma City was swimming with friends in the Locust Cove area when he jumped off a roof of a dock into the lake. The victim's body was later recovered.

All three victims were taken to the Medical Examiner's office in Tulsa, the GRDA said.

Separately, the Pawnee County Sheriff's Office and Oklahoma Highway Patrol (OHP) responded to a double drowning at Keystone Lake on Thursday.

OHP said a 14-year-old male was swimming at Appalachia Bay Area and began to struggle. A 39-year-old male, believed to be his father, went in the water in an attempt to rescue him. Their bodies were recovered and they were pronounced dead at the scene by Oklahoma State Medical Examiner Investigators.

The GRDA said best practice is to be aware of your surroundings and wear a properly fitting life jacket. Staying safe, smart and sober could be the difference between life and death, according to the GRDA.