Lake Tahoe Boat Capsizing: Six Dead, Two Missing Following Storm
Lake Tahoe Boat Capsizing: Six Dead, Two Missing Following Storm
On Saturday, June 21, a 27-foot Chris-Craft powerboat capsized on Lake Tahoe near D.L. Bliss State Park, approximately 60 miles southwest of Reno, California. The incident occurred around 3:00 p.m. Ten people were aboard the vessel at the time.
According to the El Dorado County Sheriff’s Office and the U.S. Coast Guard, a sudden and severe summer storm was the primary cause of the capsizing. The storm brought high winds, gusting above 35 mph, and created waves estimated at 6 to 10 feet high. Additionally, temperatures dropped dramatically, from the high 50s to near freezing, between 2:00 p.m. and 5:00 p.m. The Tahoe Environmental Research Center at UC-Davis reported the lake’s water temperature was just over 58 degrees Fahrenheit on Sunday.
First responders, including a seasonal lifeguard and a ranger, were able to rescue two individuals from the water and initiate resuscitation efforts. These two individuals were transported to hospitals. By 10:00 p.m. on Saturday, six fatalities were confirmed by the El Dorado County Sheriff’s Office. All deceased individuals were adults.
As of Sunday, June 22, two individuals remained missing. The El Dorado County Sheriff’s Office, along with a dive team and other agencies including the U.S. Coast Guard, resumed the search for the missing persons. The release of the names of the deceased is pending notification of next of kin.
The National Park Service notes that water temperatures below 70 degrees Fahrenheit can cause hypothermia within minutes, and survival time in 50-degree water without a life jacket is estimated at approximately 10 minutes. With a life jacket, survival time before hypothermia sets in may extend to about an hour.
Multiple reports and social media images indicated that the storm caused significant disruption on the lake, with boats overturning, sinking, colliding with each other, and washing ashore. The incident occurred in an area just north of Emerald Bay on the California side of Lake Tahoe.
The investigation into the cause of the accident is ongoing. Information regarding whether any passengers were wearing life jackets or the ages of those involved has not yet been released.
The search and rescue operation for the two missing individuals continued on Sunday, June 22nd.
Disclaimer: This content is aggregated from public sources online. Please verify information independently. If you believe your rights have been infringed, contact us for removal.