As National Police Week kicked off May 10, officers at Lake Mead National Recreation Area responded to more than 80 incidents, including two capsized vessels.
National Park Service park rangers patrol the land and waters of Lake Mead National Recreation Area alongside wardens with the Nevada Department of Wildlife and Arizona Game and Fish Department to protect and serve the 15 million visitors who are in the park boundaries each year.
“Public service is the backbone of America. The work of these brave men and women is critical to protecting this park and protecting our visitors,” said Superintendent Margaret L. Goodro.
Weather, including strong winds and flash flooding, was the cause of many of the incidents May 10.
Around 7:15 p.m., a 911 call came in, reporting 12 people were in the water after their 20-foot boat overturned near Swallow Bay. NDOW wardens arrived on scene, secured the vessel and discovered a 3-year-old girl was trapped under the boat.
Rangers and wardens quickly jumped into the water. They could hear the girl’s voice coming from an air pocket. A warden reached under the vessel in the stern area and felt the girl’s hand. The officer then swam under the boat and pulled her to safety where she was treated by medics and reunited with her family.
The other 11 passengers were accounted for and brought to shore.
“You always hear us say that life jackets save lives, and yesterday that came true for our distressed boaters on Lake Mead, and most especially for their 3-year-old daughter trapped underneath a capsized vessel and rescued by a Nevada Game Warden,” said Nevada Game Warden Captain Brian Bowles, boating law administrator for Nevada.
“Everyone should take heed of this warning so early in the boating season,” he added. “Make sure you wear a life jacket, and be prepared for quick changes in the weather.”
This wasn’t the only weather-related incident Sunday.
Just a few hours earlier, flash flooding occurred in the washes near Willow Beach, pushing massive amounts of debris across the roadway. Mohave County Flood Control gauges just upstream recorded 0.43 inches of rain.
Hundreds of people were at Willow Beach Sunday. Some departed as the storm approached, but many stayed on high ground until water subsided. As they made the journey up the washed-out road, several cars became stuck and needed assistance. There were no reported injuries.
The same storm led to numerous calls for stranded boaters and kayakers. In all, officers conducted 10 search and rescues on Lake Mead and Lake Mohave in just one day, including a capsized vessel near Echo Bay and a stranded boat near Temple Bar.
One of the victims in the Temple Bar incident, Riccardo, emailed the park to thank the rangers who helped him. “Thanks to the park rangers and the amazingly efficient procedures that they have in place…We would have been in serious trouble to get away from such a remote location without your help.”
“I am so very proud of the tremendous efforts of our first responders and state partners,” said Goodro. “They are out here every day saving lives, even during these uncertain times.” To learn more about National Police Week, visit https://www.whitehouse.gov/presidential-actions/proclamation-peace-officers-memorial-day-police-week-2020/.
