FORT COLLINS, Colo. — A man died after a paddleboarding accident at Carter Lake Saturday afternoon, according to the Larimer County Sheriff's Office.
The sheriff's office said Fort Collins 911 Dispatch Center received a report of a water emergency at Carter Lake at 2:15 p.m. on Saturday.
The caller reported that a man had fallen off his paddleboard into the water and did not come up. The caller also told dispatch the man had not been wearing a life jacket and did not have a tether to his paddleboard. The sheriff's office said witnesses at the lake had tried to locate him but could not.
Personnel from the Larimer County Sheriff's Office Emergency Services, Patrol, and Investigations divisions responded to the scene, as well as responders from the Berthoud Fire Department, Loveland Fire Rescue Authority, Thompson Valley EMS and Larimer County Rangers.
The sheriff's office said dive teams from Berthoud Fire and Loveland Rescue Fire Authority began searching the area where the man was last seen. Around 3:50 p.m., the dive teams found the man in the water and began first aid efforts.
The paddleboarder was transported to an area hospital where he was pronounced dead.
“This incident impacts so many people, from the victim’s family and friends to witnesses and first responders,” said Captain Bobby Moll, who leads the LCSO Investigations Division. “Weather conditions can go from calm to chaos quickly this time of year. Having safety gear on your boat or board is crucial to preventing tragedy. Our hearts are with everyone grieving this heartbreaking loss.”
The Larimer County Coroner's Office will release the man's identity at a later time.
Anyone with information about this incident is asked to contact LCSO Investigator Matthew Koyn at 970-498-7408.
This was not the only water emergency call the sheriff's office responded to on Saturday.
For more information about boating safety, they ask that you visit https://www.larimer.gov/naturalresources/parks/boating.