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SMITHVILLE, Mo. — A search ended Monday for a man who investigators say drowned this past weekend after he attempted to help a child in the water.
The search for the man from St. Joseph began on Saturday, with the Missouri Highway Patrol saying divers recovered his body on Monday afternoon.
Sergeant Andy Bell told FOX4 the incident began at about 5 p.m., Saturday near Litton Cove. The man, who investigators say was in his 60’s, jumped off a boat to help a child get back to the boat.
Police identify three killed in multi-car crash at 35th, Norton in KC The child had a life jacket on, but the man did not. While the search began immediately, Sgt. Bell said dive teams didn’t find him initially.
“We brought in what we call our dive team experts that have sonar capabilities to really scan all the beneath water surface level, all the way to the bottom of the lake, and they can really do an in-depth scan,” he said.
“We don’t know exactly why the swimmer did not resurface. There is some shallow water in that area, but we don’t know that, that’s the exact spot where the he dove into the water. If he hit his head or not. We just don’t know.”
Investigators say the child is okay.
The man who died has been identified as 66-year-old David Moore, of St. Joseph, Missouri.
“It’s very tragic, this loss of life,” Bell said.
Three cases of Legionnaires’ disease confirmed in Missouri Bell encourages people to suit up – wearing life jackets. So far this year there have been 28 drownings in Missouri. From January to August 19 last year there were 24 drownings.
“In general, we would always recommend that you always have a life jacket on,” Bell said,
“Sometimes we think we think we’re good swimmers, sometimes we don’t know exactly know what’s underneath the water surface. So, in the event you dive in, and if you were to hit your head not knowing what’s underneath the water, that life jacket’s going to keep you above, even when you get knocked unconscious.”
MSHP is investigating and said an autopsy will show if drugs or alcohol played a role in the drowning.
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