OHP advises lake safety after multiple drownings

OKLAHOMA CITY (KFOR) — Tragedy struck in multiple Oklahoma lakes this 4th of July holiday.

“It is a big deal,” said Oklahoma Highway Patrol Trooper Ryan Griffith. “Those images that you see, they never go away.”

According to the OHP, a Tulsa man and a 14-year-old drowned at Lake Keystone in Pawnee County on Thursday.

“One of them went under and the other one went to rescue the other one and neither one of them made it out,” said Griffith.

Meanwhile at Lake Thunderbird, the OHP said a Harrah man was making repairs to his boat when he unexpectedly fell overboard.

“They recovered his body right within just a few feet of the vessel,” said Griffith.

Plus, the Grand River Dam Authority Police are looking for a man in Grand Lake. He reportedly jumped off a boat on Thursday and did not resurface.

Griffith told News 4 about 75 people in the state of Oklahoma drown each year.

“Every one of these drownings was avoidable,” said Griffith. “Trying to put a personal flotation device on in the water, it’s probably comparable to trying to put a seatbelt on in a car crash.”

Tyler Perkins is an EMT for EMSA.

“I feel bad for the families,” said Perkins. “Like I said before, nobody really plans on this happening. My next reaction is, what can we learn from it?”

Perkins recommends swimming in bright colored clothing, always wearing a life vest, and if something happens immediately call 911.

“Going into the water if you’re not trained, that creates the risk of a second patient,” said Perkins.

Drownings were also reported at Pennington Creek in Tishomingo and at a water park in Colcord.

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