Tuesday, May 13, 1986
Lake Mead - Search for Felon
LAME is involved in a search for an escaped felon. subject
overpowered A U.S. marshall 1815 hours on 5/13 in Henderson Nevada and
escaped with his vehicle, shotgun and 3 handguns. The vehicle was
recovered at mile 33 on northshore road within LAME. Footprints
indicated that he was traveling toward Echo Bay Resort.
A command post has been established at Echo Bay for an interagency
search involving NPS, Nevada Highway Patrol, Metro Police Dept, US
Marshall, FBI and Henderson PD.
LAME requests a law and order account with anticipated $4,000 in
overtime and vehicle costs.
Monday, June 30, 1986
Lake Mead - Drowning
Initial Report
Presumed drowning; victim was swimming in 33-Hole area. Missed by
other members of party after approx. 1 hr. Mothe present. Victim was
an epileptic.
Follow Up Report
33-Hole area is located between Boulder Beach and Vegas Wash. NPS
searched area with divers until evening. Diving operations continuing
today.
Monday, July 14, 1986
Lake Mead - Boating Fatality
Incident location: 33 Hole
Summary: Subject operating boat after dark. Going about 3/4 throttle
when he struck a spit of land. Boat flipped and landed on him.
Transported to Valley Hospital by helicopter & died on operating
table. Next of kin present.
Tuesday, July 29, 1986
Lake Mead - Fatality (Boating accident)
Incident location: Catherine's Landing - Power Line Cove
Summary: Victim water skiing behind boat being driven by daughter.
Let go of rope. Daughter turned boat around to get him & hit him in
buttocks with prop. Pulled out & taken to shore. When rangers
arrived, gave CPR (he'd been underwater awhile). Transported to
hospital. DOA.
Thursday, July 31, 1986
Lake Mead - Drowning
Location: Upper Gypsum Wash
Summary: Drowning. Victim's cousin reported that D.L.D. walked to
edge of cliff overlooking the water, either tripped or fell into the
water, surfaced once and then sank from sight. D.L.D. reported to be
excellent swimmer. Height of cliff unknown. NPS divers recovered
body.
Friday, August 15, 1986
Lake Mead - Boating Fatality
Location: Echo Bay
Summary: K.L. and M.J. were in separate boats and were briefly
separated. K.L. eventually found his friend lying on top of his
overturned boat. M.J. had severe lacerations to his lower abdomen and
right arm, and was taken by K.L. to Echo Bay. Dentist and nurse on
scene performed CPR until rangers arrived. M.J. medevaced to University
Medical Center in Las Vegas and pronounced dead on arrival.
Monday, August 18, 1986
Lake Mead - Drowning
Location: Catherine's Landing
Summary: Ms. M.N. and friend were returning from party, intoxicated.
Ms. M.N. walked into lake, and friend dragged her out because she could
not swim. She walked back in again and sank before he could get to her.
Found 15 minutes later. CPR was administered, and she responded.
Taken to Bullhead City, then Valley Hospital. Died three days
later.
Monday, August 18, 1986
Lake Mead - Drowning
Location: Lower Government Wash
Summary: Victim was swimming to shore, calling for help. His friends
thought he was joking and didn't offer assistance. Fisherman called
rangers; dive team recovered body.
Friday, September 5, 1986
86-10 - Lake Mead - Drowning
Location: Back bay of Las Vegas Wash
Mr. J.C.C. had been fishing in the lake. When he started his boat
motor to return, it exploded. J.C.C. and a companion jumped into the
lake. J.C.C. attempted to tow his boat along while swimming to shore,
but drowned in the process. The body was later recovered.
Monday, October 27, 1986
86-34 - Lake Mead - Boat Collision with Fatality
Location: Lake Mojave District
Mr. S.J.H. and Mr. G.C.R. were operating their own boats. S.J.H.
attempted to pass G.C.R., and the boats collided. S.J.H. died of
injuries received in the accident. G.C.R. has been charged with reckless
operation and excessive speed.
Monday, November 17, 1986
86-41 - Lake Mead - Homicide
Location: Lake Meade Marina launch rampe
Las Vegas PD advised the park on 11/15 that a suicidal woman who'd
also threatened to kill her seven-year-old son was in the area. Later on
the same morning, concession divers doing routine maintenance on marina
docks discovered a submerged vehicle with the victim's body in it. The
mother admitted to killing her son; she said she'd given him an overdose
of sleeping pills, then driven the car into the water. She was arrested
by rangers and turned over to the Clark County sheriff's office. An
autopsy is to be performed.
Friday, January 5, 1987
86-55 - Lake Mead - Drowning
Location: Lake Meade Marina
Ms. D.A.B. fell off a dock while getting off her house boat. A friend
tried without luck to rescue her, so went for help. Responders arrived
in 15 minutes and administered CPR. D.A.B. died in a hospital on January
4th.
February 18, 1987
87-14 - Lake Mead - Drowning
Location: Mile Post #8, North Shore Road
Mr. J.R.H. was swimming; about 30 feet from shore he shouted for help and
went under. Rangers recovered his body in 20 feet of water. Three friends
were present at the time of the incident.
March 25, 1987
87-35 - Lake Mead - Auto Fatality
Location: Lakeshore Drive
Mr. B.B. was killed in a one car motor vehicle accident. While southbound
at an excessive rate of speed, the car failed to negotiate a curve, went
200' off the road and rolled. The victim was thrown from his car.
May 4, 1987
87-65 - Lake Mead - Follow-up: Drowning
Location: Las Vegas Wash Boat Harbor
Subject was swimming in harbor and disappeared from view. Friends and
parents searched for him and recovered his body. Rangers administered
CPR until ambulance arrived but there were no vital signs. Victim was
pronounced dead. Next of kin was present and press was notified.
May 11, 1987
87-69 - Lake Mead - Drowning
Location: South Beach @ Boulder Beach
M.A. was on rubber boat with two companions. A wind came up and he jumped
overboard to pull the boat to shore. He began to tire and started to sink.
His cousin jumped overboard to help, but M.A. sank. Park Rangers
recovered the body in 11' of water.
May 15, 1987
87-72 - Lake Mead NRA - Drowning
Location: Hemenway Cove
R.L.P. was floating on an inflatable raft approximately 30' to 40' from
shore, in 6' of water. A friend, who was on shore, heard R.L.P. yelling for
help. R.L.P. then seemed to fall off the raft, into the water, and
disappeared from sight. His body was recovered at the point last seen by
National Park Service Rangers, and transported to a funeral home in Henderson.
Next of kin has not been notified.
May 21, 1987
87-77 - Lake Mead - Suicide
Location: North Shore Road
On 5/20 LAME received a report to be on the lookout for a 25 year old white
male named R.R. who was wanted for murder by the Nevada Metro PD.
R.R. was wanted for killing a man with a butcher knife and wounding the
man's female companion earlier that day.
R.R. was reported to be driving a 1979 Camaro. At 2:15pm the dispatcher
at LAME received a report from a Nevada Fish & Game agent who was in the park
and had spotted a 1979 Camaro matching the description of the vehicle.
Two NPS patrol vehicles with 2 rangers each proceeded to milepost 1 on the
North Shore Road where the sighting had occurred. At milepost 7 the rangers
attempted to have the individual pull off the road. He would not stop, and a
chase ensued. At milepost 24.2, on a straight stretch, the Camaro ran off the
road and wrecked. The rangers approached the vehicle using felony stop
procedures and found the driver dead of injuries suffered in the crash. A 16"
butcher knife, was found in the vehicle along with a suicide note which left
the Camaro to R.R.'s wife.
Las Vegas Metro Homicide Division came to the park to perform the
investigation, which is ongoing.
June 19, 1987
87-119 - Lake Mead - Fatality; Child Struck by Truck
Location: Cottonwood Cove Access Road
Child was walking with friends along the roadway when his hat reportedly blew
off his head and into the roadway. He abruptly ran into the path of a
concession refrigerated truck which swerved to miss him but failed. The
swerving motion caused the truck to flip on its side crushing the child
underneath. Parents were in the park at the time of the incident and were
notified. Investigation ongoing.
June 29, 1987
87-129 - Lake Mead - Drowning
Location: Hamlin Bay
T.S. was swimming approximately 30' from shore when he began to call for
help. W.B., a companion of T.S.'s, was on the beach and entered
the water to help T.S.. By the time he reached the victim, T.S. had gone
beneath the surface of the water. W.B. searched and found the body and
brought it to shore where he started to perform CPR. Park rangers arrived on
the scene, along with the coroner who pronounced T.S. dead. Next of kin has
not been notified.
July 30, 1987
87-175 - Lake Mead - Fatality: Possible Homicide
Location: Christmas Tree Pass in Grapevine Wash
A camper in Needle #1 primitive campground spotted a human body approximately
200 yards from the campground. He called Las Vegas Metro Police who notified
park personnel. Metro Police were the first ones on the scene. The
remains, those of a white male, were nearly skeletal, no estimation could be
made as to how long they had been at that location. Metro Police suspect
homicide as the cause of death, Metro Police and park service personnel are
investigating.
August 3, 1987
87-178 - Lake Mead - Body Found - Suspected Homicide
Location: West End Wash
A human body was discovered several hundred yards off a dirt road which comes
off the main highway. The body was discovered by a hiker and was badly
decomposed. It was identified to be K.M.H. who had been reported
missing on 7/23/87 by the Las Vegas Metro Police. Homicide suspected as the
body was decapitated. Next of kin has been notified.
August 10, 1987
87-193 - Lake Mead - Fatality - MVA
Location: North Shore Road at Shorelake Jct.
M.Y. was the driver of a vehicle which rolled over. He died in a hospital
operating room due to injuries suffered from the accident.
August 17, 1987
87-199 - Lake Mead - Drowning
Location: Bighorn Island
L.H. was with his family on a houseboat which was towing a ski boat. The
towline broke and L.H. dove into the water to retrieve the boat. He was
never seen again. He was known to be a good swimmer, but the water was rough
and he was fully clothed. No alcohol or drugs apparent. A passerby reported
the incident to NFS personnel. The dive team dove for several hours with no
success. Another attempt was to be made the following day.
May 4, 1988
88-71 - Lake Mead - Explosion/Mutual Aid
Location: Henderson, Nevada
As a result of the explosion which destroyed the American Pacific rocket
fuel plant in Henderson, Lake Mead closed all park roads which were in the
direct path of the chemical cloud. Once it was learned that the cloud was
not toxic, the roads were reopened and employed to route traffic diverted
away from Henderson. Three fire trucks and 22 park rangers from Lake Mead
have been dispatched to provide emergency assistance. Henderson is 8 miles
due west from Lake Mead headquarters in Boulder City.
May 17, 1988
88-84 - Lake Mead - Fatality
Location: Lake Mead Blvd.
J.C., a passenger in a car driven by her brother D., died due to
injuries sustained when a car driven by Harold Rowlins, crossed the center
line striking them head-on. D.C. is hospitalized with serious
injuries. Injuries to H.R. were limited to cuts and bruises. Evidence
indicates that H.R. was intoxicated and he is being charged with felony
drunk driving.
July 25, 1988
88-155 - Lake Mead - Boating Fatality
Location: Catherine
On July 23rd, J.E.P., 38, of Irvine, California, was operating a jet
ski when he struck a boat. He suffered massive injuries and was transported
to Bullhead City Hospital where he died seven hours later. No further
details are available at this time.
Monday, March 6, 1989
89-33 - Lake Mead - Fatal Shooting by Park Ranger
At approximately 11:30 a.m. on the morning of March 4th, seasonal ranger Bob
Judkins was stopped by a visitor and informed that there was a man on foot
at the intersection of Lakeshore and Northshore Drives who was brandishing a
weapon and pointing it at passing motorists. Judkins called for assistance,
drove to the scene and parked his vehicle across the roadway to block
traffic from approaching the area. At approximately the same time, ranger
Tom Valenta arrived from the opposite direction, and the man with the gun -
later identified as 28-year-old B.E.M. of Jackson Hole, Wyoming -
started walking toward him. Valenta saw a visitor's vehicle pulling up
behind him, so he backed his patrol car toward the visitor, forcing the
visitor to back up out of immediate danger. B.E.M. then turned toward
Judkins, who also backed his vehicle away from B.E.M.. B.E.M. turned once
again and started towards Valenta, who'd backed up about 200' around the
corner of the intersection. Valenta got out of his patrol car with his
shotgun and took a defensive position behind the open door. He ordered
B.E.M. to drop his gun (a 380 mm Luger pistol), but B.E.M. continued to
advance, yelling repeatedly: "I'm not going back to prison!" At one point,
he told Valenta: "I'm going to kill you. You'd better shoot me now because
I'm going to kill you." As he approached, B.E.M. pointed his weapon
directly at Valenta; when he closed to within 20', Valenta fired one round
from his shotgun, striking B.E.M. in the left side just below his chest.
B.E.M. was flown to the University Medical Center in Las Vegas, where he
died on the operating table. Shortly after the incident, the park received
information via teletype which identified B.E.M. and advised that he and an
accomplice named A.J.P. were wanted for murder and armed robbery in
Wyoming, where the two had killed A.J.P.'s uncle by shooting and stabbing
him. Both were considered to be armed and dangerous. A.J.P. was arrested at
a casino by Las Vegas police later that night. Their vehicle was found in
Barstow, California. (Newt Sikes, CR, LAME).
Friday, March 17, 1989
89-51 - Lake Mead - Fatality
The body of 42-year-old S.K. of Arcadia, California, was found in a
vehicle at the Lake Mead Marina parking lot. The cause of death was
apparently a single shot in the neck from a .22 caliber pistol. The death
is tentatively listed as a suicide and is under investigation. (LAME
dispatch, via Herb Gercke, RAD/WRO).
Monday, April 24, 1989
89-72 - Lake Mead - Motor Vehicle Fatalities
A motor vehicle accident on East Lake Mead Boulevard in the early hours of
the 18th claimed the lives of two Las Vegas youths - K.M., 23,
and J.L., who turned 24 that day. The driver, D.B., also of Las
Vegas, was ejected from the vehicle during the accident and was not injured.
D.B. evidently lost control of the vehicle due to excessive speed. (Lila
Roybal, LAME, via Herb Gercke, RAD/WRO).
Wednesday, May 10, 1989
89-84 - Lake Mead - Diving Fatality
On the morning of May 7th, D.D., 63, of Coronado, California, was
diving with a friend in Ringbolt Rapids on Lake Mohave. D.D.
apparently was swept into some logs and limbs and was unable to get himself
free. When he failed to surface, his partner sought assistance. Park
divers recovered D.D.'s body four hours later. (Ann Betus, RAD/WRO).
Wednesday, May 10, 1989
89-85 - Lake Mead - Boating Fatality
On the night of May 5th, six people were injured in an accident in Echo Bay
when their boat hit a rock outcropping at a high rate of speed. B.G.F.,
47, of San Bruno, California, later died of his injuries in a
Las Vegas hospital. There was no evidence that alcohol was a contributing
factor in the accident. (Ann Betus, RAD/WRO).
Friday, May 12, 1989
89-84 - Lake Mead - Follow-up on Diving Fatality
Park rangers received a report of the entrapment of diver D.D. in
Ringbolt Rapids via marine band radio shortly after the incident occurred,
flew to the scene by helicopter and were in the water about 35 minutes after
the report was received. They might have been able to save the victim, but
the water was flowing at 22,000 cubic feet per second (cfs) and they
couldn't get closer than 30 feet from him. The river flow was dropped to
8,000 cfs in order to allow the divers to safely make the recovery. (John
Benjamin, GICA).
Monday, May 15, 1989
89-90 - Lake Mead - Fatal Shooting by Park Rangers
On the afternoon of May 13th, two park rangers responded to the report of an
unoccupied drifting canoe in the Devil's Cove area of the park's Temple Bar
District. When they exited their boat at a nearby beach camping area, they
were confronted by a 33-year-old male with a large knife. The rangers tried
to get him to drop his knife for 15 to 20 minutes, but were unsuccessful.
As they climbed back into their boat, the man lunged at them with the knife.
The two rangers then fired on and killed the man. No further information is
available on the incident at present; a follow-up report will appear as soon
as possible. (Capt. Ed Winkle, USPP, and dispatch, LAME).
Tuesday, May 16, 1989
89-90 - Lake Mead - Follow-up on Fatal Shooting by Park Rangers
On the morning on May 13th, a fisherman saw a swamped canoe in Devil's Cove
and reported it to the park. While rangers Don McBee (Lake Mead) and John
Peterson (Grand Canyon) were en route by boat to the cove, two other
fisherman in the area also spotted the canoe and recognized it as one which
was owned by 33-year-old D.N. of Westoff, Texas, who had been
living in a little shack in a narrow canyon near the cove since January.
Noftser was known to rangers at Lake Mead. Sometime earlier this year, a
family camping in the cove awoke to the sounds of D.N. loudly chanting at
an altar near his hut and had complained to the park. Since D.N. had
exceeded the 90-day limit on backcountry camping at Lake Mead, he had also
been warned more than once that his permit had expired and that he would
have to leave. The two fisherman found D.N. on shore and asked him if he
wanted to go out fishing with them. D.N. joined them, but spent most of
his time sleeping in the bottom of the boat. When he awoke, he began
talking irrationally, then picked up a rifle he'd brought into the boat with
him and took a shot at one of the fisherman, just barely missing him. At
about this time, McBee and Peterson arrived on scene and approached the
boat. Peterson took possession of the rifle, which was in plain view. The
two boats headed toward shore side by side; when they neared the beach, the
two fishermen jumped out and D.N. pulled out a hunting knife and began
making threatening remarks to the rangers. Both rangers drew their weapons.
The two rangers then spent over 20 minutes unsuccessfully trying to get
D.N. to put down his knife, at the end of which time D.N. suddenly
jumped into their boat. McBee was in the bow, D.N. was amidships, and
Peterson was in the stern. The two rangers kept talking to him, but D.N.
suddenly lunged toward the bow, telling McBee "I'll cut your guts out."
McBee fired six rounds at Noftser - four hit him directly, one grazed him
and the sixth missed. D.N. fell back into the middle of the boat, then
got up again and started toward McBee, who was reloading his empty revolver.
Peterson fired twice at D.N., hitting him both times. A Flight For Life
helicopter was called for medical assistance, but D.N. was pronounced
dead on arrival. The Las Vegas Metro PD homicide unit is investigating the
incident. Following the shooting, a check was made of D.N.'s shack.
Investigators found sheets of notebook paper with strange inscriptions
posted on the walls, a six month supply of canned food, several potted
plants (possibly marijuana) and 1200 prescription pills which were
identified as common medication for disturbed mental patients. D.N. had
no known criminal record. (Newt Sikes, CR, IAME, via Herb Gercke, RfiD/WRO
and directly to RAD/WASO).
Wednesday, May 31, 1989
89-108 - Lake Mead - Drownings
Two separate drownings occurred in the park on the 30th - one at Boulder
Beach, the other at Katheryn Swim Beach. I.C., 29, of Huntington
Park, California, attempted to go swimming at Boulder after drinking
heavily. He drowned in 3' of water as his companions watched. B.T.,
19, of Bollingbrook, Illinois, was swimming with a group of five
persons with inner tubes at Katheryn when he became separated from his tube.
He was rescued and brought to a nearby hospital, but was pronounced dead six
hours later. (Herb Gercke, FAD/TCRO, via CompuServe message to RAD/WASO).
Thursday, June 1, 1989
89-109 - Lake Mead - MVA Fatality
S.R., 31, of Las Vegas, Nevada, was towing a boat trailer along
North Shore Road on May 30th when she entered a left turn, over-corrected,
ran through a guard rail, and plunged down a 25-foot embankment. She died
at the scene of head injuries. (CompuServe message from RAD/WRO).
Friday, June 2, 1989
89-90 - Lake Mead - Follow-up on Fatal Shooting by Park Rangers
The Board of Inquiry on the fatal shooting of D.N. at Devil's Cove
on May 13th (see the 5/16 morning report) has ruled that park rangers Don
McBee and Join Peterson acted within their authority and that the shooting
was a justifiable homicide. (Lowell White, ARD/Cps, WRO, via CompuServe
message to RAD/WASO).
Wednesday, July 5, 1989
89-166 - Lake Mead - Waterskiing Fatality
On June 22nd, 70-year-old R.H. of Littletown, Colorado, was
waterskiing on Lake Mead when he fell while coming to shore. He was
medevaced to a nearby hospital, where he was pronounced dead on arrival.
(Telephone report from RAD/WRO).
Tuesday, July 18, 1989
89-188 - Lake Mead - MVA with Multiple Fatalities
While driving at a high rate of speed (70 - 80 mph) on North Shore Road on
the evening of the 12th, R.N. of Las Vegas lost control of his
pickup truck, hit an embankment, then hit a passenger car head on as he
tried to regain control of his vehicle. R.N.'s passenger, 23-year-old
C.L. of Las Vegas, was killed in the accident, as were all three
people in the car - 24-year-old S.D. and his daughters S., one, and
S., three, all of Las Vegas. R.N. is in fair to good condition at
the University Medical Center in Las Vegas. Investigator's have determined
that R.N. was driving under the influence of alcohol. (Don Hamilton,
LAME, via CompuServe message from Herb Gercke, RAD/WRO).
Friday, August 4, 1989
89-207 - Lake Mead - Climbing Fatality
On August 2nd, 21-year-old D.B. of Alto Loma, California, was
rock climbing at Wildburro Bay with two companions when he fell 70 to 80
feet to his death. None of the three climbers was employing safety aids.
(Dispatch, LAME, via CompuServe message from Herb Gercke, RAD/WRO).
Monday, August 7, 1989
89-210 - Lake Mead - Drowning
On August 7th, D.D., 20, of Cuahtemoch, Mexico, and a companion
attempted to swim from Special Events Beach to the "wakeless" buoy marker, a
distance of about a quarter of a mile. Although D.D.'s companion made
it to the buoy, D.D. floundered behind him and eventually sank from
sight. Other visitors reached him and brought him to shore, but it took
another five minutes before someone with CPR skills arrived at the beach.
CPR efforts failed, and Dominguez was later pronounced dead due to drowning.
(Lila Roybal, Dispatch, LAME, via CompuServe message from Herb Gercke,
RAD/WRO).
Wednesday, September 6, 1989
89-260 - Lake Mead (Nevada) - Fatal Motor Vehicle Accident
On September 3rd, a motor vehicle heading southbound in excess of 90 mph on
North Shore Road left the roadway, flipped on its top and caught fire
instantly. Three of the four occupants were killed, and the survivor has
been hospitalized with severe head injuries. The Clark County coroner is
currently attempting to identify the three victims. No further information
is available on the incident. (Dispatch, LAME, via CompuServe message from
Herb Gercke, RAD/WRO).
Tuesday, September 12, 1989
89-274 - Lake Mead (Nevada) - Drowning
On the evening of the 11th, D.D., 39, of Las Vegas, Nevada, was
attempting to simultaneously swim and pull a small sail boat to a trailer at
the marina launch ramp when he suddenly began yelling for help and went
under. Rangers searched the lake's waters for him and found and recovered
his body. Cause of death is not known, but is presumed to be drowning.
(Telephone report from Ann Betus, RAD/WRO).
Friday, October 6, 1989
89-305 - Lake Mead (Nevada/Arizona) - Drowning
L.M., 22, of Upland, California, was camping with relatives and
friends on a houseboat between El Dorado and Cottonwood Cave on the morning
of September 29th when he entered the lake for a swim after a night of
partying. His absence was noticed after ten minutes and attempts were made
to find him. L.M.'s body was discovered in ten feet of water. CPR was
administered for 15 minutes with no positive results. The victim was known
to suffer from epilepsy. His death was the park's 37th fatality this year.
(Lila Roybal, LAME, via CompuServe message from Herb Gercke, RAD/WRO).
Friday, October 6, 1989
89-306 - Lake Mead (Nevada/Arizona) - Double Homicide
On the evening of October 5th, campers near Cottonwood East on Lake Mohave
saw flames and heard gunshots in the distance. When they investigated the
next day, they found a burned out 1976 Dodge van with two bodies - one male
and one female - in the back. The Mohave County Sheriff's Office is the
lead agency on the investigation. (Terry Green, LAME, via CompuServe
message from Herb Gercke, RAD/WRO).
Tuesday, March 20, 1990
90-38 - Lake Mead (Nevada) - Drowning
Around noon on March 15th, B.J., 72, of Central Point, Oregon, left
his campsite at Cottonwood East in his ten-foot aluminum fishing boat to got
to Cottonwood Cove Marina to purchase supplies. At 8 a.m. on the following
morning, his wife reported to rangers that B.J. had failed to return. A
search ensued utilizing patrol boats and an aircraft. The aircraft located
B.J.'s body in Cottonwood Island Cove about an hour later. The cause of
death is unknown. (Don Hamilton, LAME, via CompuServe message from Herb
Gercke, RAD/WRO, 4:30 EST, 3/19/90).
Tuesday, March 27, 1990
90-45 - Lake Mead (Nevada) - Drowning
On March 24th, J.B., 26, of Bullhead City, Arizona, was drinking with
two friends at South Telephone Cove when he decided to go into the lake to
sober up. Some time later, students from Northern Arizona University found
his body and began unsuccessful efforts at CPR. (Dispatch, LAME, via
CompuServe message from Herb Gercke, RAD/WRO, noon EST, 3/26/90).
Thursday, April 12, 1990
90-65 - Lake Mead (Nevada) - Fatality
J.C., 85, was sitting on the wall at Lake Mead overlook when he
spotted and attempted to catch a snake. In the process of that effort, he
lost his footing and fell 100 feet to his death. (Dispatch, LAME, via
CompuServe message from Herb Gercke, RAD/WRO, 5 p.m. EDT, 4/9/90).
Wednesday, June 13, 1990
90-132 - Lake Mead (Nevada) - Fatality
On June 12th, 41-year-old G.L. of Pomona, California, was returning
from a water skiing trip when he began complaining of lower abdominal pains.
After stopping at several restrooms along the way, he went into one at North
Telephone Cove. When he failed to return to the car, his friends went
looking for him. They found G.L. unconscious and without a pulse and began
CPR immediately. Park rangers assisted in transporting him to Bull Head
City Medical Center, where he was pronounced dead on arrival. The cause of
death is to be determined by autopsy. (Don Hamilton, LAME, via CompuServe
message from Herb Gercke, RAD/WRO, 6/12).
Tuesday, June 19, 1990
90-140 - Lake Mead (Nevada) - Fatality
The body of 56-year-old L.W. of Kingman, Arizona, was found
floating in Cottonwood Cove on the 17th. The body was retrieved, and
investigators determined that Whitehead apparently died from a gunshot to
the head. An investigation into the circumstances of his death are
underway. This is the park's tenth fatality so far this year. (Lila
Roybal, LAME, via CompuServe message from Herb Gercke, RAD/WRO, 6/18).
Tuesday, June 26, 1990
90-157 - Lake Mead (Nevada) - Drowning
E.H., 33, of Las Vegas, was swimming with his nine-year-old daughter
from an unanchored boat near Boulder Beach on the afternoon of the 24th when
the boat began drifting away from them. E.H.'s daughter, who was wearing
a FED (life preserver), was able to make it back to her mother and two
siblings on the boat, but E.H. went under. Since he drowned in 380 feet
of water, no attempt is being made to recover the body. (Dispatch, LAME,
via telephone report from Chris Cameron, RAD/WRO, 6/25).
Friday, July 20, 1990
90-202 - Lake Mead (Nevada) - Drowning
V.P., 41, of Las Vegas and a companion were operating a
boat at a high rate of speed on the 14th when their vessel struck a reef and
knocked both of them into the water. They then attempted to swim to shore
without the assistance of floatation devices. V.P. never made it, and
rescue attempts by NPS divers failed to recover his body. Investigation
reveals alcohol was a factor in the accident. (Dispatch, LAME, via
CompuServe message from Herb Gercke, RAD/WRO, 7/18).
Thursday, August 16, 1990
90-256 - Lake Mead (Nevada/Arizona) - Drowning
At about 2:30 p.m. on the 13th, J.M., 22, of Bullhead City,
Arizona, was swimming in the area of Cabin Site Point near Katherine Landing
with four friends. As the group swam across a lagoon, J.M. suddenly
stopped and called to his friends, saying that he could not make it. He
disappeared under the surface as his companions returned to assist him. NPS
divers recovered the body around 3 p.m. (Dispatch, LAME, via CompuServe
message from Herb Gercke, RAD/WRO, 8/15).
Tuesday, August 28, 1990
90-280 - Lake Mead (Nevada/Arizona) - Fatality
M.W., 22, of Cgden, Utah, was working with a private road
construction crew on North Shore Road on the 23rd when he was stuck and run
over by one of the trucks hauling gravel to the site. The crew was working
under an NPS contract to pave part of the road. He was pronounced dead at
the scene. (LAME dispatch, via CompuServe message from Herb Gercke,
RAD/WRO, 8/27).
Tuesday, August 28, 1990
90-281 - Lake Mead (Nevada/Arizona) - MVA with Fatality
On August 27th, 33-year-old D.C. of Las Vegas was driving his car
near Horsepower Cove when he failed to negotiate a curve on a dirt access
road, ever-corrected and rolled over. He was pronounced dead at the scene.
Investigators state that alcohol and illegal drugs were contributing factors
in the accident. (LAME dispatch, via CompuServe message from Herb Gercke,
RAD/WRO, 8/27).
Tuesday, August 28, 1990
90-282 - Lake Mead (Nevada/Arizona) - Drowning
Eight-year-old W.H. of Henderson, Nevada, was swimming near the
campground at Las Vegas Wash when he became separate from his friends. He
called for help, but sank before rescuers could reach him. His body was
later recovered by the park's dive team. (LAME dispatch, via CompuServe
message from Herb Gercke, RAD/WRO, 8/27).
Tuesday, August 28, 1990
90-283 - Lake Mead (Nevada/Arizona) - MVA with Fatality
On August 22nd, O.B., 62, of Overton, Nevada, was killed in a one-
car accident on North Shore Road. The vehicle rolled over after O.B.
failed to negotiate a curve, and he was ejected. O.B. was not wearing a
seatbelt. (LAME dispatch, via CompuServe message from Herb Gercke, RAD/WRO,
8/27).
Monday, October 15, 1990
90-361 - Lake Mead (Nevada/Arizona) - Sinking of NPS Boat
On October 10th, the Boulder Beach District's 24-foot Skipjack sank at its
moorings at the government dock in 20 feet of water for unknown reasons.
The boat was raised to its gunnels, but sank again before being stabilized.
The park estimates the cost of commercial salvage and repair at $17,000.
The boat was scheduled for replacement two years ago. (Bud Inman, LAME, via
CompuServe message from Herb Gercke, RAD/WRO, 10/10).
Wednesday, November 7, 1990
90-405 - Lake Mead (Nevada/Arizona) - Suicide
A maintenance worker for the Nevada Water Commission noticed a camper parked
off the roadway on Lake Shore Drive with a hose running from the exhaust
into the vehicle early on the morning of November 2nd. The responding
rangers found 39-year-old G.T. of Vancouver, Washington, lying
unconscious on the front seat. G.T. was pronounced dead at the scene.
(Dispatch, LAME, via CompuServe message from Herb Gercke, RAD/WRO, 11/5).
Monday, December 3, 1990
90-428 - Lake Mead (Nevada/Arizona) - Serious MVA Involving Employee
Shortly after noon on November 18th, ranger Malcolm DeMunbrun was driving a
marked 1989 Plymouth Grand Fury patrol vehicle on Lakeshore Drive. As he
approached an intersection with a beach access road, he saw a Ford crew cab
pickup coming in his direction which appeared to be slowing to make a turn
onto the access road. Instead of stopping to allow DeMunbrun to pass by,
however, the driver of the pickup made a sudden turn across his path.
DeMunbrun braked and pulled to the side of the road, but could not avoid a
collision. The impact caused the pickup to overturn, and both vehicles
suffered major damage. Neither DeMunbrun nor the three occupants of the
pickup were injured, though. All four were wearing seatbelts, and the air
bag in DeMunbrun's cruiser activated and provided him with further
protection. (Bob Belten, Safety Officer, LAME, via (CompuServe message from
Herb Gercke, RAD/WRO, 11/29).
Tuesday, January 15, 1991
91-10 - Lake Mead (Arizona/Nevada) - Suicide
The body of L.B., 39, of Cross Lake, Minnesota, was
found in a parked pickup truck at Lake View Point on January
14th. A hose extended from the exhaust pipe into the truck's
cab. [Dispatch, LAME, via CompuServe message from Herb Gercke,
RAD/WRO, 1/14]
Thursday, February 7, 1991
91-45 - Lake Mead (Nevada/Arizona) - Suicide
Rangers and Las Vegas PD officers found the body of a 62-year-old
man from Chula Vista, California, at Christmas Tree Pass on
February 5th. The man had died from a gunshot wound. A Ruger
revolver was found near the body. Investigators have determined
that the death was a suicide. [Lila Roybal, Dispatch, LAME, via
CompuServe message from Herb Gercke, RAD/WRO, 2/6]
Wednesday, April 24, 1991
91-120 - Lake Mead (Nevada/Arizona) - Unexploded Ordnance
A visitor reported finding an unexploded ordnance training
device at Jefferson Davis Cove on Lake Mohave on April 17th.
Ranger Glen Anderson and VIP Art Coleman investigated and found
an object which was approximately one and a half inches in
diameter and six inches long and had two wires protruding from
the top. Identifying lot numbers were ground off the device,
and it is believed that it was illegally obtained and
deliberately placed in the park. EOD personnel from Nellis Air
Force Base removed the device, which was estimated to have
contained about a pound of explosives. [Dispatch, LAME, via
CompuServe message from Herb Gercke, RAD/WRO, 4/22]
Thursday, April 25, 1991
91-129 - Lake Mead (Nevada/California) - Fatality
The body of an unidentified adult female was found in Las Vegas
Wash on April 19th. Numerous "tracks" and bruises from
injections were found on her arms and legs. An investigation is
underway. [Terry Green, LAME, via CompuServe message from Herb
Gercke, RAD/WRO, 4/22]
Monday, May 13, 1991
91-150 - Lake Mead (Nevada/California) - Chemical Spill
A truck delivering 3,000 gallons of diesel fuel to construction
workers at the base of Hoover Dam lost its brakes, wrecked and
spilled fuel into the Colorado River below the dam on May 2nd.
The Boulder Beach fire brigade responded and assisted Bureau of
Reclamation personnel in removing the injured driver and in
providing fire protection. Rangers monitored the spill as it
moved down river and eventually dissipated. The spill had no
impacts on fish or wildlife. [Dispatch, LAME, via CompuServe
message from Herb Gercke, RAD/WRO, 5/9]
Monday, May 13, 1991
91-151 - Lake Mead (Nevada/California) - Emergency Assistance
A large cloud of chlorine gas was released following a spill at
an industrial complex in Henderson, Nevada, on May 6th. NPS
personnel worked at a command post and triage area set up in
Boulder City and provided medical assistance to over 80 persons
affected by the gas. Rangers also provided traffic control on
park roads leading into and out of the town. [Dispatch, LAME,
via CompuServe message from Herb Gercke, RAD/WRO, 5/9]
Monday, June 10, 1991
91-207 - Lake Mead (Nevada) - Motorcycle Fatality
H.B. and R.G., both 18-year-olds from Las
Vegas, were racing their motorcycles in excess of 80 mph on
North Shore Road at 10:30 p.m. on June 4th when they both lost
control of their bikes on a curve and ran off the roadway.
H.B. struck with such force he lost his helmet and a boot and
was killed. R.G. survived the accident. [Bud Inman, CR,
LAME, via CompuServe message from Herb Gercke, RAD/WRO, 6/5]
Wednesday, June 12, 1991
91-214 - Lake Mead (Nevada) - Drowning
Four-year-old D.J. of Las Vegas was playing in the
shallow waters of the lake when he stepped off a ledge into
deeper water and drowned. Family members reported the incident
to the park dispatcher; ranger units arrived shortly thereafter
and recovered the body. [Dispatch, LAME, via CompuServe message
from Carl Christensen, RAD/WRO, 6/11]
Wednesday, July 10, 1991
91-271 - Lake Mead (Nevada) - Boating Accident with Fatality
Around 9:10 p.m. on July 8th, the park received a call via
marine band radio from a member of a group of about 20 people in
two houseboats at the extreme upper end of the lake. The caller
said that one of their party was in diabetic shock and that
several of them would be bringing the victim to Temple Bar in a
19 foot Sun-ray speedboat. Rangers Mike Ramirez and Jonathan
Schafler went down to the dock at Temple Bar to await their
arrival. When the boat failed to appear at the scheduled time,
the rangers headed out in a 20 to 22 foot Boston Whaler to find
them. Shortly thereafter, the two boats collided. One of the
occupants of the Sun-ray, 28-year-old S.N., was fatally
injured. Two others T.M.N., 30, of Ontario,
California, and W.N., 34, of Chino, California
received serious head injuries, and the operator of the boat
L.M. of Bloomington, California received minor
injuries. Ramirez and Schafler suffered only minor injuries.
The rangers were able to transport all four to Temple Bar. The
two with head injuries were taken via helicopter to Las Vegas;
the third injured party was taken via ambulance to Kingman,
Arizona. Although the night was dark, the Sun-ray was running at
about 60 mph without lights except for a handheld flashlight.
L.M. initially stated that he saw the Whaler and was
heading toward it; he apparently misjudged the distance between
the boats and was unable to correct in time. Because the
accident involved the NPS, the park has asked the Nevada
Department of Wildlife to investigate the incident. The Clark
County coroner is investigating the fatality. [Karen Whitney,
LAME, via telephone and CompuServe reports from Carl Christensen,
RAD/WRO, 7/9]
Wednesday, July 10, 1991
91-276 - Lake Mead (Nevada) - Boat Fire with Injuries
On the morning of June 29th, a boat operated by R.G. of
Palmdale, California, and occupied by his wife, two children and
a nephew, had just completed fueling at the Lake Mead Marina.
R.G. was attempting to start the engine after running the
bilge blower for about two minutes when a gas fire and explosion
occurred. Mrs. R.G., the couple's three-year-old daughter and
their six-year-old nephew all received second degree burns; Mr.
R.G. and the couple's four-and-a-half-month-old son received first
and second degree burns. All were taken by helicopter to the
burn center at the University Medical Center in Las Vegas. The
fire was extinguished by the marina's fire boat. The fire was
caused by a faulty gas filler hose which let raw fuel into the
engine and bilge of the vessel. [Linda Ross, LAME, via
CompuServe message from Carl Christensen, RAD/WRO, 7/8]
Monday, July 15, 1991
91-286 - Lake Mead (Nevada) - Fatal Air Crash
On July 10th, J.P., 45, of Fontana, California, flew into
the airstrip at Temple Bar to deliver the pilot who was to fly
out the plane belonging to S.N., who was killed in the
boating accident which occurred on the lake on July 8th (912-71).
J.P. took off to return to Kingman, Arizona, later that
afternoon. Just after leaving, he called the airstrip to report
that he was having difficulties with his aircraft. Nothing more
was heard from him. Rangers began a search and soon located his
crashed aircraft about a quarter mile south of the strip.
J.P. was dead at the scene. There were no other occupants in
the plane, and there was no fire. The FAA and NTSB are
investigating the accident. [John Jones, Dispatch, LAME, via
CompuServe message from Carl Christensen, RAD/WRO, 7/11]
Tuesday, July 16, 1991
91-294 - Lake Mead (Nevada)- Drowning
E.B., 60, of Las Vegas, Nevada, apparently drowned
while fishing near Las Vegas Wash between 3:00 and 4:00 a.m. on
the morning of July 13th. E.B. and a neighbor came to the park
to fish. E.B.'s companion fell asleep and awoke to find E.B.
floating face down in the wash. Rangers attempted CPR but were
not successful. The incident is under investigation. [David
Hamilton, LAME, via CompuServe message from Herb Gercke, RAD/WRO,
7/15]
Wednesday, July 31, 1991
91-348 - Lake Mead (Nevada) - MVA with Fatality
E.J., 51, of Las Vegas, was killed while riding in a
pickup on Northshore Road late on the morning of the 28th. A
piece of metal, part of a pulley from a 1976 Pontiac Firebird,
hit the ground, bounced into oncoming traffic and struck the
hood of the pickup E.J. was riding in. The two-and-a-half inch
piece of metal then ricocheted off the hood, went through the
windshield, and hit her between the eyes. The truck was being
driven by the victim's husband; several other family members
were passengers. She was pronounced dead at the scene.
[Dispatch, LAME, via CompuServe message from Herb Gercke,
RAD/WRO, 7/30]
Wednesday, July 31, 1991
91-349 - Lake Mead (Nevada) - Stabbing
Following an argument in the Overton Beach Campground on the
night of the 28th, R.R., 31, of California, stabbed
W.R., 51, of Detroit, Michigan, in the chest with a
screwdriver. R.R. fled on foot, but was apprehended just
before 1:00 a.m. about three miles from the scene of the
incident. The screwdriver was found in the campground. W.R.
was transported by helicopter to University Medical Center in
Las Vegas, where he is listed in fair condition with four stab
wounds, all in his chest. Investigators have learned that R.R.
is wanted in California on outstanding felony warrants. It
appears that R.R. was hitch hiking to Colorado, and that
W.R. picked him up. They'd arrived at Overton Beach earlier
that evening. [Dispatch, LAME, via CompuServe message from Herb
Gercke, RAD/WRO, 7/30]
Friday, August 23, 1991
91-432 - Lake Mead (Nevada) - Drowning
The park received a report of a possible drowning in Lower
Gypsum Wash from a local police department around 11:00 p.m. on
August 21st. Responding rangers and officers reported that the
victim, M.K., 21, of Las Vegas, had been found floating
in about two feet of water. CPR was attempted but discontinued
before rangers arrived on the scene. Alcohol is believed to
have been a factor in the accident. [Anne Yoss, LAME, via
CompuServe message from Carl Christensen, RAD/WRO, 8/22]
Tuesday, October 1, 1991
91-527 - Lake Mead (Nevada) - Boating Accident with Two Fatalities
Two boats operated by friends collided about three and a half
miles north of Cottonwood Cove around 10:30 p.m. on the 28th,
causing the deaths of two of the four occupants and serious
injuries to the remaining pair. The accident, which took place
within the view of their families on shore, occurred when one
boat turned left in front of the second boat. Since the first
boat did not have the appropriate lights working, the operator
of the second boat did not see it and ran over the top of it.
Both parties in the first boat the operator, J.H., 35,
of Huntington Beach, California, and his passenger, D.O.,
32, of Compton, California were killed instantly. The
pair in the second boat were evacuated to a hospital; although
their injuries are serious, they are not lifethreatening.
D.O.'s body was found the next day by park divers. She was the
sister of the second boat's operator. Factors involved in the
accident include lack of proper lighting on the first boat,
night time operation, excessive speed, and, possibly,
consumption of alcohol. [Dale Antonich, CR, LAME, via
CompuServe message from Herb Gercke, RAD/WRO, 9/30]
Tuesday, October 22, 1991
91-574 - Lake Mead (Nevada) - Assist on Homicide Investigation
G.H., the man who killed 23 people in Killeen, Texas, last week,
was arrested in Lake Mead in June for being under the influence and for
possession of loaded firearms. He was found sitting in his pickup truck
alongside the Hemennway Road in a state of extreme intoxication. He was
given a series of field sobriety tests, all of which he failed. While
being placed under arrest, he was asked if there were any valuables in his
vehicle. G.H. told the ranger that he had two handguns behind the seat.
The ranger retrieved the weapons, both of which had rounds in their
magazines. Checks on the guns were negative. G.H. was taken into
custody, and his mother later retrieved the truck. The handguns were left
with the vehicle since they had not been used in a crime and were being
turned over to a responsible party. G.H. pleaded guilty later that
month to the under the influence charge and was fined $110. He pleaded no
contest on the firearm possession charge and was fined $60 for that offense.
G.H. lived at the time with his mother in Henderson, Nevada, about 20
miles from Las Vegas. The weapons found in the truck were the same models
as those employed in the Killeen massacre. [Telephone report from Dale
Antonich, CR, LAME, 10/21]?
Thursday, December 12, 1991
91-654 - Lake Mead (Nevada) - Follow-up on Search for Missing Plane
The wreckage of the Las Vegas Airlines Piper Navajo Chieftain was found by
Lake Mead search aircraft early yesterday morning just below the summit of
5,445-foot Mount Wilson, about eight miles east of Hoover Dam. All five
persons aboard were killed in the crash. The twin-engine plane apparently
crashed in bad weather around 4:00 p.m. on Tuesday, about the time that air
traffic controllers lost radar and radio contact with it. A search team
dropped by helicopter into the rugged site found the bodies of the pilot
and his four passengers. National Transportation Safety Board inspectors
are en route to the scene. [Telefax from Gary Bunney, Assistant
Superintendent, LAME, 12/11; United Press, 12/12]
Wednesday, January 15, 1992
92-5 - Lake Mead (Nevada) - Air Crash with Fatalities
A commercially-operated Cessna T-210-L crashed just short of the runway at
the Temple Bar airstrip on the afternoon of January 13th, killing two of the
plane's five occupants. The pilot and two passengers who survived were
injured in the accident. The crash was witnessed by a park maintenance
worker, who reported it to dispatch. Rescuers responded immediately, and
the injured were transported by helicopter to a hospital in Las Vegas. The
pilot reported engine problems before the accident. All of the passengers
on the plane were from Hong Kong. No names are available at this time.
[Bud Inman, LAME, via CompuServe message from Herb Gercke, RAD/WRO, 1/14]
Friday, January 17, 1992
92-10 - Lake Mead (Nevada) - Possible Homicide
Around 2:30 p.m. on the afternoon of January 16th, a hiker discovered the
body of a man in a pickup truck with a camper shell which was parked in the
Upper Gypsum area. Investigators have tentatively identified the victim,
but the cause of death is still under investigation. The coroner has ruled
out suicide. The Las Vegas Metro police department is investigating. No
further information is currently available. [Dispatch, LAME, via CompuServe
message from Herb Gercke, RAD/WRO, 1/16]
Friday, January 31, 1992
92-22 - Lake Mead (Nevada) - Employee Sentenced on Sex Offense
On January 14th, a park employee at Lake Mead was sentenced in state court
on one count of open lewdness, a misdemeanor, which resulted from an
incident which had occurred in the park last July. At that time, the
daughter of a volunteer in the park reported that the employee had sexually
assaulted her in the Callville Bay fire house. While investigating this
complaint, investigators learned of an earlier sexual assault complaint
against the employee which had been handled informally. Written and verbal
statements were taken from both victims, and the cases were presented to the
United States attorney. At that office's request, the cases were
transferred to the Clark County district attorney's office, and prosecution
in state court was approved for two felony counts of sexual assault. In a
plea bargain agreement, the employee agreed to plead guilty to the single
count of open lewdness and the state agreed to dismiss the felony counts of
sexual assault. The employee, who had earlier been terminated by the park,
was sentenced to a year in the Clark County jail (suspended), an
indeterminate probationary period not to exceed three years, mandatory
counseling, and 240 hours of community service. [CompuServe message from
RAD/WRO, 1/30]
Wednesday, February 12, 1992
92-33 - Lake Mead (Nevada) - Body Discovery
A ranger who was on patrol in the Temple Bar district on February 10th
came upon the body of E.W., 50, of Arlington, Texas, on a boat in
Campanile Cove. E.W. apparently died of a gunshot wound to the head.
An investigation into his death is underway. [Dispatch, LAME, via
CompuServe message from Herb Gercke, RAD/WRO, 2/11]
Thursday, February 20, 1992
92-43 - Lake Mead (Nevada) - Drug Arrests
An undercover operation conducted by rangers from Katherine Landing between
February 4th and 10th culminated in the arrest of M.W., a
suspected methamphetamine dealer living in and operating from the trailer
village at that location. An undercover ranger moved into the trailer
adjacent to M.W.'s, made his acquaintance, then purchased methamphetamine
from him on three separate occasions. The final purchase was for an eighth
of an ounce of the drug. M.W., S.E. and four others were
subsequently arrested on felony charges. Two of the charges against M.W.
and S.E. carry sentences of from 25 years to life in prison. [Dispatch,
LAME, via CompuServe message from Herb Gercke, RAD/WRO, 2/19]
Thursday, March 26, 1992
92-92 - Lake Mead (Nevada) - MVA with Fatality
Just after 5:00 a.m. on March 25th, a motorist came upon an upside down
truck off the side of North Shore Road near Callville Bay. Investigating
rangers found that the vehicle had been in an accident, and that the driver,
S.K.J., 47, of Las Vegas, Nevada, had been killed. S.K.J., the
only occupant of the vehicle, apparently fell asleep, awakened when she went
off the road on a curve, then overcorrected and crashed. She was not
wearing a seatbelt. An investigation is being conducted by the Nevada
highway patrol. [Don Hamilton, LAME, via CompuServe message from Kathy
Clark, WRO, 3/25]
Thursday, April 2, 1992
92-100 - Lake Mead (Nevada) - Drug Arrests
Following receipt of information that a drug shipment was due to arrive in
the park by air on the evening of March 30th, rangers and other members of
MAGNET, a multi-agency task force, intercepted an aircraft in the Katherine
District and arrested the pilot and five other people on charges of
possession of illegal drugs. The task force seized a pound and a half of
methamphetamine, a half pound of marijuana, the aircraft, and a pickup and
trailer. The shipment, which was valued at $38,000, is believed to have
originated in Mexico. [Dale Antonich, CR, LAME, via CompuServe message from
Carl Christensen, RAD/WRO, 4/1]
Wednesday, April 15, 1992
92-122 - Lake Mead (Nevada) - Drowning
C.C., 16, of Las Vegas, was swimming in Gypsum Wash with several
friends on April 10th when he decided to swim alone across the wash and
back, a distance of about one half mile. C.C. never made it back, and he
was reported as missing to rangers the following day. His body was found
later that day. His death has been ruled a drowning. [Allene Vassar, LAME,
via CompuServe message from Herb Gercke, RAD/WRO, 4/14]
Wednesday, April 22, 1992
92-134 - Lake Mead (Nevada) - Multiple Incidents
During the second week of April, rangers were involved in a host of
significant incidents, including:
* a motor vehicle accident with critical injuries in which an occupant was
trapped in the vehicle and a medivac flight was required;
* a death by natural causes;
* a drowning (previously reported in 92-122);
* nine non-drug arrests, mostly for being under the influence;
* three drug arrests - two for possession with the intent to distribute LSD,
one for possession and distribution of methamphetamine and cocaine;
* six EMS incidents;
* three larcenies;
* two burglaries; and
* one boat fire.
Investigators also determined that the actual amount of drugs transported in
the incident on March 31st (92-100) in which six people were arrested was
14.8 pounds of marijuana and a half pound of methamphetamine. [Dale
Antonich, CR, LAME, via SEAdog message from Herb Gercke, RAD/WRO, 4/20]
Monday, April 27, 1992
92-142 - Lake Mead (Nevada) - Employee Arrested
On April 11th, a park dispatcher was arrested for the sale of drugs. She
became the focus of an investigation after information was received that she
was involved in use and sale of illegal drugs. Lake Mead law enforcement
rangers and local officers were able to gain sufficient evidence to charge
her with use and sale of narcotics. Information obtained during the
investigation revealed that she was using drugs on duty while performing
dispatch functions. [Mike Blandford, CI, LAME, via telefax from Carl
Christensen, RAD/WRO, 4/24]
Monday, May 4, 1992
92-160 - All Areas - Rodney King Assault Verdict Incidents
Several areas and operational units of the National Park Service were
directly or peripherally affected by the riots, demonstrations and other
incidents that have occurred since the verdict was handed down in the King
assault case:
* Lake Mead (Nevada) - Las Vegas authorities asked the park to put its law
enforcement rangers and structural fire units on standby on Thursday
night. Seven structural fire engines were prepared to roll, but were
not called.
[Telephone and telefax reports from Phil Ward, RAD/WRO; Bob Reid, RAD/MARO;
Bob Ditolla, RAD/NARO; Bill Sturgeon, RAD/SERO; Bob Byrne, CR, INDE]
Friday, May 8, 1992
92-100 - Lake Mead (Nevada) - Follow-up on Drug Arrests
On March 31st, rangers and other members of a local task force intercepted
an aircraft in the Katherine District and arrested the pilot and five other
people on charges of possession of about 15 pounds of marijuana. During the
subsequent investigation, rangers found five pounds of methamphetamine in
another compartment on the aircraft. [Dale Antonich, CR, LAME, via cc:Mail
message from Herb Gercke, RAD/WRO, 5/7]
Friday, May 8, 1992
92-176 - Lake Mead (Nevada) - Multiple Incidents
During the last week of April, rangers were involved in a number of
significant incidents, including:
* a motor vehicle accident in which the injured drive had to be extricated
and transported via helicopter to a medical facility;
* a quick response and successful rescue of a young man in full cardiac
arrest who was pulled from the lake;
* another possible gang-related car burning;
* eleven arrested for incidents in which the principals were under the
influence;
* five drug-related arrests or citations;
* four assaults;
* one medical response for a methamphetamine drug overdoes;
* nineteen EMS incidents;
* two burglaries; and
* three vandalism cases.
As noted earlier this week, park firefighters and EMS personnel were also
put on alert to respond to the riot in Las Vegas last Thursday and Friday,
but were not called out. [Dale Antonich, CR, LAME, via cc:Mail message from
Herb Gercke, RAD/WRO, 5/7]
Wednesday, May 20, 1992
92-205 - Lake Mead (Nevada) - Explosives Recovered
A team of Navy Seals recovered 35 sticks of nitroglycerin-based dynamite
from the lake in an area known as The Cliffs on the evening of Monday, May
18th. Upon discovery of the explosives, the park evacuated a portion of the
nearby shoreline, restricted boat traffic in the area, and requested the
assistance of the Navy team because of their expertise in diving and dealing
with explosives. The Navy divers spent about two hours retrieving the
dynamite from the lake; it was then taken to Nellis Air Force Base for
disposal. The dynamite was apparently stolen from a construction site in
Utah and brought to the Las Vegas area by a man hoping to sell it to gangs.
[Karen Whitney, LAME, via cc:Mail message from Herb Gercke, RAD/WRO, 5/19]
Wednesday, June 10, 1992
92-256 - Lake Mead (Nevada) - Drowning
D.M., 27, was swimming in Placer Cove in the Willow Beach area on the
afternoon of June 8th when he experienced difficulties and was brought to
shore by bystanders. They were able to revive him, and responding rangers
found that he had a weak pulse. D.M. was medevaced to a local medical
center, where he was pronounced dead. The subsequent investigation revealed
that alcohol was a factor in the incident. [Aleen Vassar, LAME, via cc:Mail
report from Herb Gercke, RAD/WRO, 6/9]
Wednesday, June 10, 1992
92-257 - Lake Mead (Nevada) - Drug-Related Seizure
A three-month-long investigation into drug-related activities begun by park
personnel and involving the IRS and FBI led to the seizure of a 31-foot,
1991 model Sea Ray boat at Callville Bay Marina and the seizure of over
$800,000 in cash in several depositories. The boat was owned by R.L.L.
of Las Vegas. The park will attempt to obtain the seized boat for
local use under forfeiture statutes. [Mike Blandford, LAME, via cc:Mail
report from Herb Gercke, RAD/WRO, 6/8]
Friday, June 26, 1992
92-302 - Lake Mead (Nevada) - Drug Seizure
Shortly before midnight on June 19th, a park visitor discovered a brown
paper bag enclosing a clear plastic bag containing a white powder behind a
toilet at the Cottonwood Cove launch ramp restroom. The find was reported
to Las Vegas police, who in turn advised rangers. The restroom was placed
under surveillance, but no suspects were identified. The package was seized
as evidence and a field test indicated that the substance was
methamphetamine. The packaged contained 492 grams of the substance with a
street value in excess of $34,000. Several investigative leads are being
pursued to identify the origin of the drug. [Dispatch, LAME, 6/25]
Tuesday, June 30, 1992
92-319 - Lake Mead (Nevada) - Drowning
On June 27th, W.M., 3, was playing on his father's boat at Moon
Cove while his father was sunbathing. When the father went looking for his
son around 4:00 p.m., he found him floating face down in the water near the
boat. The boy was transported to Las Vegas and place on life support
equipment, but died the next day. [Terry Green, LAME, 6/29]
Tuesday, June 30, 1992
92-320 - Lake Mead (Nevada) - Drowning
J.D., 33, a Mexican national, was swimming with two friends in
Hemingway Harbor on June 12th when he began experiencing difficulties. A
friend attempted to rescue him but was unsuccessful. A visitor on a jet ski
who was passing by was able to rescue J.D. He was pronounced dead at
a Las Vegas hospital on June 27th. [Terry Green, LAME, 6/29]
Monday, July 13, 1992
92-323 - Lake Mead (Nevada) - Drowning
A.P., two, was playing in the water in a small rubber raft at
South beach on July 6th when the wind caused the raft to drift from shore
and eventually overturn. The boy was retrieved by rangers who were
patrolling in the area, but resuscitation efforts failed and he was
pronounced dead at the scene. The boy's father had been watching him, but
had been distracted when the accident occurred. [Allene Vassar, LAME, 7/6]
Thursday, July 16, 1992
92-350 - Lake Mead (Nevada) - Suicide
J.T.B., 61, was found dead in his home in Lake Shore Trailer
Village on July 13th. Indications are that he died of a self-inflicted
gunshot wound. An investigation into his death is underway. [Herb Gercke,
RAD/WRO, 7/14]
Thursday, August 13, 1992
92-416 - Lake Mead (Nevada) - Fatality
S.P., 36, and a female friend were lying beside a campfire near
the North Shore Road around 5:00 a.m. on August 9th when they were struck by
a car that had been parked but apparently started to roll on its own.
S.P. was pushed into the fire and suffered second and third degree burns
over 70% of his body. He was taken to University Hospital in Las Vegas,
where he died early the following morning. His companion suffered only a
sprained ankle. The incident is being investigated by Las Vegas police.
[John Jones, LAME, 8/11]
Monday, August 17, 1992
92-430 - Lake Mead (Nevada) - Fatality
On the morning of August 13th, two jet skiers found a man face down in the
water about a half mile from Hemenway. They notified rangers, who recovered
the body. The victim has been identified as R.J., 74, of Peoria,
Arizona. The cause of death is unknown, and an investigation is underway.
[Terri Greene, LAME, 8/13]
Tuesday, August 25, 1992
92-454 - Lake Mead (Nevada) - Storm Damage
On the afternoon of August 21st, heavy rains from the remnants of Pacific
Hurricane Lester fell on Lake Mead and caused serious damage to several
facilities. Lake Mead Marina at Boulder Beach broke loose from its moorings
and floated out into the lake. The road to Willow Beach was completely
washed out and the water line and chlorine house there were destroyed.
Cottonwood Cove and Temple Bar was also hit hard, but remain open to the
public. A full damage assessment is underway, but it is already evident
that repairs to the Willow Beach water line will cost approximately
$100,000. No injuries were reported. Rangers are patrolling by aircraft
and boat to determine if any visitors have been stranded. Further rains are
predicted for the area. [Phil Ward, RCR, RAD/WRO, 8/24]
Wednesday, September 16, 1992
92-505 - Lake Mead (Nevada) - Drowning
J.D., 22, of Los Angeles, drowned at Crawdad Cove on September 12th.
He was last seen swimming with companions at 4:20 that afternoon. NPS
divers, who were notified just after 6:30 p.m., dove with negative results
that day, but found his body 80 feet from shore in 12 feet of water late the
following morning. No further details on the incident are available.
[Scott Olson, LAME, 9/14]
Wednesday, September 16, 1992
92-507 - Lake Mead (Nevada) - Death of Employee
Glen "Bud" Wohlbrandt, who was a maintenance employee at Lake Mead, died of
cancer on September 12th. Funeral services are being held this afternoon in
Boulder City. His family asks that donations be sent in lieu of flowers to
help defray medical expenses. They may be sent to his wife, Maudie
Wohlbrandt, 1320 Appaloosa Road, Boulder City, NV 89005. [Carole Messick,
LAME, 9/15]
Friday, September 18, 1992
92-511 - Lake Mead (Nevada) - Fatality; Accidental Shooting
Rangers were called to the campground at Katherine following an accidental
shooting incident on the evening of September 15th and found S.P.,
45, of Windover, Utah, suffering from a fatal gunshot wound to the
abdomen. A group of five men who were camping together were looking at a
replica of a .45 caliber, single-action Colt revolver which apparently
discharged as it was being passed to S.P.. The bullet struck him in the
lower abdomen and exited near his collar bone. An investigation is being
conducted by the park and the Mohave County sheriff's office. [Karen
Whitney, LAME, 9/17]
Thursday, October 8, 1992
92-552 - Lake Mead (Nevada) - Sexual Assault Arrest
On September 29th, A.E. of Las Vegas, Nevada, the prime
suspect in a sexual assault which had occurred in the park, turned himself
in at the law offices of a local attorney. On August 19th, a 19-year-old
woman reported that she'd been sexually assaulted in the Gypsum Wash area.
A.E. was identified as the suspect, and a warrant was issued for his
arrest. The park and Las Vegas police had attempted to find Echeverria, but
without luck. A.E. has been charged with four counts of sexual
assault. [Susan Warner, LAME, 10/7]
Thursday, October 15, 1992
92-385 - Lake Mead (Nevada) - Follow-up on Burglary/Car Clout Ring Arrests
Late last July, Las Vegas police arrested three juveniles in a drive-by
shooting incident in Las Vegas and subsequently found that they were driving
a stolen vehicle and were in possession of two guns which had been reported
stolen in the park. A joint investigation by rangers and Las Vegas and
Boulder City police led to the clearance of 20 stolen vehicle cases and the
recovery of numerous items of stolen property, including guns, televisions,
and VCR's. Four vehicles were recovered in the park, and seven NPS auto
burglaries were cleared. The three juveniles were each found guilty of
multiple counts of grand larceny, possession and use of firearms, auto
burglary, and firing into an occupied dwelling. They are presently serving
sentences in the state juvenile facility in Elko, Nevada. [Susan Warner,
LAME, 10/14]
Thursday, October 22, 1992
92-572 - Lake Mead (Nevada) - Human Remains Found
On October 16th, the park received a report that occupants of a houseboat
had found a human skeleton near Nellis Cove on Lake Mohave. Rangers and Las
Vegas homicide investigators eventually contacted the parties and located
the remains. Although no positive identification of the victim has yet been
made, the remains are believed to be those of A.E.I., who has
been missing since June 10, 1990. The investigation is continuing. [Scott
Olson, LAME, 10/16]
Wednesday, October 28, 1992
92-578 - Lake Mead (Nevada) - Drowning
On October 24th, a park visitor reported that he had seen a man who was
fishing in Las Vegas Wash swept under near the point where it enters Lake
Mead during a thunderstorm. He had attempted to rescue the victim, but was
unsuccessful due to the swift current and poor visibility. The victim's car
and fishing gear were found, and he has been tentatively identified as
Sompis Gingsumrong, 34, of Las Vegas. The search for his body continues but
is being hampered by fast moving water and near zero visibility. [John
Jones, LAME, 10/27]
Thursday, December 3, 1992
92-630 - Lake Mead (Nevada) - Search
On Wednesday, November 25th, park visitors found 19-year-old C.N., a
local resident, wandering around without food or water and in an advanced
stage of hypothermia. C.N., who was wearing chaps and tennis shoes with
spurs, told rangers that he and a companion had been on a horse trip from
Katherine to Hoover Dam, a distance of about 60 miles, and that they had
become separated. Rangers and sheriff's deputies began an air, ground and
water search for C.N.'s companion. The effort was suspended after two days
when further investigation revealed that C.N. was suffering from mental
confusion and that he had left home on Monday on a solo 60-mile hike without
water or food. Nighttime temperatures during the period were in the 30s.
[Dave Hoover, LAME, 12/2]
Monday, January 11, 1993
92-674 - Lake Mead (Nevada) - Sexual Assault
On August 11th, the parents of a ten-year old female contacted rangers and
reported that she had been sexually assaulted by G.H., a resident
of the employee housing area where they all lived. Rangers Pat Donohue and
Larry Hanneman responded; when they arrived, G.H. attempted to walk
rapidly from the area but was apprehended by Hanneman. Investigation
confirmed the allegations, and G.H. was arrested and charged with sexual
assault and lewdness with a minor. On September 3rd, G.H. pled guilty to
lewdness with a minor in a plea bargain agreement with the county district
attorney. The sexual assault charge was dismissed. On November 3rd,
G.H. was sentenced to five years in the state prison. [Susan Warner,
LAME, 1/7]
Thursday, January 14, 1993
93-16 - Lake Mead (Nevada) - Fatality
A park maintenance worker reported a vehicle fire at the four mile marker on
the access road to Temple Bar on January 12th. Responding rangers found
that there was one unidentifiable victim in the vehicle. No further
information is currently available. An investigation is underway. [Bud
Walsh, LAME, 1/12]
Tuesday, February 2, 1993
93-43 - Lake Mead (Nevada) - Pursuit; Felony Arrest
On the afternoon of January 26th, rangers received a report that two
juveniles in a white Chevrolet van were attempting to solicit gasoline from
park visitors, telling them that they were trying to get to the Grand
Canyon. Ranger Joe Hayes subsequently located and attempted to stop the van
on the Willow Beach access road, but the van sped up and headed south on
U.S. 93 at speeds approaching 100 miles per hour. Hayes followed while
summoning assistance. Mohave County sheriff's office and Arizona DPS
officers were in the process of responding to assist Hayes when the van made
a U-turn at milepost 35 - 23 miles after the pursuit began - and headed
north on 93. The park aircraft joined the pursuit and provided aerial
surveillance. At milepost four, park criminal investigator Mike Blandford
and rangers Gary Sebade and John Black, assisted by Arizona DPS and Hoover
Dam police officers, established a road block and set out strips of road
spikes to puncture the van's tires. All traffic at Hoover Dam was stopped
The 56-mile pursuit ended when the van ran over the spikes. The two
juvenile occupants of the van, one female and one male, were taken into
custody; both were runaways from the state of Nevada. The driver of the van
is a 14-year-old gang member from Las Vegas who was awaiting sentencing for
burglary and possession of a controlled substance. Both juveniles were
booked into the juvenile detention facility in Mohave County, Arizona. The
male driver was charged with felony fleeing to elude a police officer,
operating a motor vehicle without the owner's consent, and multiple traffic
offenses. The female was booked as a runaway juvenile. [Susan Warner,
LAME, 2/1]
Friday, February 12, 1993
93-62 - Lake Mead (Nevada) - Pursuit
Ranger John Black made a traffic stop on a truck being operated in a
reckless manner on Lakeshore Road at 6:30 p.m. on February 5th. The driver,
D.L., 43, of Boulder City, smelled of an alcoholic beverage and
could produce neither driver's license, registration nor insurance
certificate. When Black told him to turn off the truck's ignition, D.L.
instead floored the accelerator, turned off the truck's headlights and fled.
Rangers pursued. The chase culminated in the Hemenway Campground when the
truck was blocked after it pulled into a campsite. D.L. had to be
removed from the vehicle by force and began struggling with rangers.
Although Capstun was used, it appeared to have had no effect on D.L..
He was charged with operating a motor vehicle under the influence of
alcohol, attempting to elude a police officer, and numerous other traffic
offenses. [Van Kuren, LAME, 2/10]
Friday, February 19, 1993
93-74 - Lake Mead (Nevada) - Assist; Burglary Arrests
On February 8th, park dispatch received a call from Citizens Utilities, a
company that operates a microwave within the park near Willow Beach,
reporting that a repairman at the site had observed a suspicious vehicle
approaching the location after dark with its lights out. Several thefts of
solar panels and electronic equipment with a cumulative value of $40,000 had
occurred recently at the site. Rangers responded and detained two suspects,
who were turned over to the county sheriff's office, which is investigating
the burglaries. Physical evidence at the scene included tire tracks and
shoe prints; together with the tools the suspects had in their possession,
the sheriff's office had sufficient evidence to arrest the pair. The two
are prime suspects in thefts of similar equipment from southern California
and Montana. [Susan Warner, LAME, 2/18]
Friday, February 26, 1993
93-89 - Lake Mead (Nevada) - Suicide
Rangers discovered the remains of C.K., 43, of Kingman, Arizona, at
Christmas Tree Pass. C.K. died of a self-inflicted gunshot wound to the
head. The death has been ruled a suicide. [John Jones, LAME, 2/24]
Tuesday, March 2, 1993
93-92 - Lake Mead (Nevada) - Fatality
Visitors reported seeing a body floating near the cliffs along the North
Shore on February 27th. The body was eventually recovered and identified as
that of J.M.S., 47, of Las Vegas. A cause of death has not yet
been determined, but the presumption is that he died of natural or
accidental causes. The location where he was found is a popular swimming
area. There were no witnesses to the incident. [John Jones, LAME, 3/1]
Friday, March 5, 1993
93-101 - Lake Mead (Nevada) - Storm Impacts
On the evening of February 19th, major storms struck the Willow Beach and
Katherine Landing areas. Willow Beach received 1.08 inches of rain within a
one-hour period, and Katherine Landing received 2.30 inches over a two-hour
period. Remote rain gauges "alarmed" at Willow Beach, indicating a minimum
intensity of .44 inch in a three-minute period. Flood warning evacuation
sirens were activated at the 60-unit trailer village, and ranger Kevin
Hendricks coordinated the evacuation of 20 trailers and 33 persons.
Approximately 18 inches of flood water rushed down Willow Beach Wash,
cutting away access roads, drainage channels, and 175 feet of a five-foot-
high retaining wall. No injuries were reported. The storm also damaged the
Willow Beach access road, and roads and parking lots in Katherine. More
than 3,200 square yards of asphalt roadway was lost in the two areas. Storm
damage has been estimated at $136,000 for both areas. [Susan Warner, LAME,
3/4]
Tuesday, March 30, 1993
93-151 - Lake Mead (Nevada) - Attempted Homicides
At about 4 p.m. on March 26th, W.I. and J.I., both 57, parked
their mobile trailer at Boxcar Cove to go fishing. Their truck and mobile
trailer were the only vehicles parked at the location. As W.I.
left the trailer on an errand, an unknown male standing outside and to the
right of the trailer's doorway immediately shot at him. The first shot
missed; the second struck W.I. in his throat, then lodged under the skin on
his shoulder. J.I. was struck three times by bullets fired through
the trailer door as she attempted to retrieve her husband and close the
door. The shooter made one more attempt to kill the couple by firing at
them through another window in the mobile home, then fled the scene,
escaping before rangers arrived. One of the bullets fired at J.I.
entered her chest and exited through her back without hitting any vital
organs; a second grazed her skull, and the third shattered a wrist. Doctors
expect to release her from the hospital in a few days. W.I. was
released, but will return in to have the bullet removed from his shoulder.
The assailant is described as a white male between 22 and 25 years old,
weighing 160 to 165 pounds and possessing an average build; he's clean
shaven and has piercing blue, green or hazel eyes, a dark complexion, and a
well-groomed, regular haircut. He was wearing a white tee shirt, a gray or
blue unzipped jacket, and blue jeans. The weapon he used was a five- or
six-shot revolver, which he fired from his right hand. No motor vehicle or
boat was heard upon his getaway. [Mike Blandford, CI, LAME, 3/26]
Thursday, April 1, 1993
93-151 - Lake Mead (Nevada) - Follow-up on Attempted Homicides
The suspect in the shooting of J.I. and W.I. is now in custody.
The suspect, a citizen of Scotland, had been visiting this country for
several months. When he missed his airplane flight home, he became
depressed and drove a rental car to Boxcar Cove to commit suicide. When the
I.s arrived, they interrupted his plans, and he took out his anger by
shooting them. The man then drove to Barstow, California, where he turned
himself in at that city's police department. Investigators Blandford and De
Munbrun took his confession on March 30th and were to take him before the
magistrate for arraignment yesterday. [Bud Inman, LAME, 3/31]
Thursday, April 8, 1993
93-166 - Lake Mead (Nevada) - Diving Fatality
J.D., 41, of Rio Grando, New Mexico, and a friend spent the
afternoon of April 3rd diving in about 50 feet of water 200 feet off the
shore of Boulder Beach. While on their way back in, they decided to make
one last dive to use up their oxygen. When J.D. failed to surface, his
companion made several fruitless rescue dives, then reported the incident to
rangers. A park dive team responded; they failed to find J.D.'s body that
evening, but recovered it in 30 feet of water at noon the following day. It
appears that J.D.'s air ran out, and that he drowned because he was unable
to release his borrowed and unfamiliar weight belt. [Scotty Olson, LAME,
4/5]
Friday, April 9, 1993
93-174 - Lake Mead (Nevada) - Boating Fatality
R.N., 34, and his cousin, T.Y., 28, both of Las Vegas,
were boating on Lake Mohave early on the morning of April 8th when they
decided to head up river. R.N. was at the helm, so T.Y. decided to
take a nap. T.Y. awoke to a loud crash and found R.N. bent over
the seat, with his legs wedged under the dash. The boat had apparently
struck an object; the hull was seriously damaged, and the boat began to
sink. R.N. was still conscious and complained that he could not feel
his legs. T.Y., who had received minor injuries, was able to put a life
jacket on R.N., drag him out of the boat, and bring him to the beach.
Several Willow Beach concession maintenance workers arrived at about that
time and told T.Y. that they would go nine miles up river to get help.
By the time they returned, R.N. had expired. No efforts were made to
resuscitate him. A joint investigation by the park and state wildlife
officials is underway. [Terri Greene, LAME, 4/8]
Thursday, April 15, 1993
93-184 - Lake Mead (Nevada) - Fuel Spill
Late on the morning of April 12th, a 60-foot houseboat belonging to
Cottonwood Cove Resort fell sideways off a trailer as efforts were being
made to retrieve it from Lake Mohave. Between 100 and 200 gallons of fuel
were spilled on the public launch ramp; about 50 gallons apparently reached
the lake before a berm was put in place. Absorbent materials were deployed
in the water, and fire engines from nearby Searchlight and from the park's
Boulder District responded to assist the crew of the Cottonwood Cove engine.
The area was closed to public use because of the danger from the fuel and
because of the potential for an explosion - the cabin and bow of the boat
were filled with gas fumes, while the electrical supply remained connected
to a 12-volt battery. The boat was secured, however, and a crane was used
to pull it back onto the trailer for removal. Clean-up cost the
concessioner about $35,000. [Karen Whitney, LAME, 4/12 and 4/13]
Thursday, April 15, 1993
93-185 - Lake Mead (Nevada) - Drug and Weapons Arrest
Rangers saw a boat operating erratically on the lake on the evening of April
11th. They stopped the vessel, and, during a consent search for weapons the
operator said were on board, came upon 10.6 grams of crack cocaine and a
small amount of marijuana. The weapons were found and identified as a 4-
10/.45 derringer and a sawed-off 12-gauge shotgun. The derringer was
capable of firing shotgun shells. The boat, a 1977, 23-foot Sleek Craft
cabin cruiser with a 454 Chevrolet engine, was seized, and asset
seizure/forfeiture procedures have been initiated. [Karen Whitney, LAME,
4/12]
Friday, April 16, 1993
93-186 - Lake Mead (Nevada) - Special Events
Preparations for possible incidents at Lake Mead associated with the verdict
in the Rodney King case began on Friday, April 9th, with the arrival of a
ten-member Western Region special events team. In addition to augmenting
park patrols, team members will assist the Lake Mead staff in providing law
enforcement support to Boulder City. Backup support also will be provided
for Lake Mead rangers who will staff structural fire trucks in the event of
civil disturbances in Las Vegas. Two other ten-member Western Region teams
are on six-hour standby - one comprised of rangers, the other of Park Police
officers. Las Vegas was the scene of major unrest following the earlier
trial, and police intelligence indicates that another siege can be expected.
Intelligence recently received from San Diego police indicates that gangs
plan on travelling by caravan to Las Vegas to create trouble following the
issuance of the verdict. On April 14th, the park received a mutual aid
request from Boulder City Police Department to augment its night patrol
operation. Rangers have accordingly teamed up with Boulder City officers in
their patrol cars. The park is also expecting impacts from a large
motorcycle rally named "Hog Heaven II," which is being sponsored in
Laughlin, Nevada, at the southern end of the park. The rally began
yesterday and will continue through the 18th. Event organizers anticipate
over 20,000 participants, including motorcycle enthusiasts and spectators.
Gang members and their associates are expected to make up the largest
number. Organizers arranged use of a county-administered park within Lake
Mead's boundaries to provide camping space for the group. They also have
arranged for various vendors and activities, including musical
entertainment, games, events, and tatoo parlors. Different motorcycle clubs
have reserved floors of rooms in the various Laughlin hotels and casinos
(one group alone reserved 400 rooms in one property). Hotels are charging
$1,000 per room cash deposit. Reports are that California Highway 62
between Palm Springs and Needles is bumper-to-bumper with motorcycles
heading east towards Laughlin. Campgrounds at Katherine are nearly filled.
Because many Metro Las Vegas officers have been reassigned to the city,
there will be no jail facilities in the Laughlin area during the weekend;
park personnel will therefore have to transport any prisoners from the
southern end of the park to Las Vegas, a four hour round-trip. A planning
meeting of cooperating law enforcement agencies was held yesterday in
Bullhead City, Arizona - located across the river from Laughlin, Nevada - in
preparation for the motorcycle rally. Incident commander Paul Henry
attended along with the park's assistant chief ranger, criminal investigator
and Park Police officer. Weekend plans are to cover both of the major
visitor-use areas of the park. Four SET members will be assigned to
Katherine Landing in the southern end of the park during the rally, leaving
six members to augment the staff in the North Shore area. Las Vegas Metro
police have also asked the park to help patrol the county-administered park
within Lake Mead. [Capt. Mike O'Neal, RAD/WRO-SET commander, daily reports,
4/9-4/16]
Friday, April 16, 1993
93-188 - Lake Mead (Nevada) - Human Remains Discovered
Bones believed to be human were discovered along the Christmas Tree Pass
Road on April 15th. A joint investigation between Las Vegas Metro police
and park personnel is underway. Christmas Tree Pass Road is an unpaved road
located on the Nevada side of Lake Mohave within the Katherine District of
the recreation area. [Karen Whitney, LAME, 4/15]
Thursday, April 22, 1993
93-186 - Lake Mead (Nevada) - Follow-up on Special Events
No significant incidents of civil unrest occurred in the park or surrounding
area following the announcement of the verdict in the Rodney King trial on
Saturday, and Western Region's special events team (SET) was accordingly
demobilized the following day. During the period from April 10th through
midnight on April 17th, 43 arrests, one drowning death, and 112 significant
law enforcement incidents were recorded in the park, including weapons
violations and seizures, drug possession, fugitive arrests, larcenies,
burglaries, OUI incidents, and gang activity investigations. By comparison,
the average is six arrests in a normal week. SET members assisted rangers
in the Katherine District during the "Hog Heaven II" motorcycle gang rally
on Saturday and assisted in 18 arrests within the park, nine of which were
felonies. Some of the gangs seen wearing colors within the Katherine area
were the Bar Hoppers, Iron Crossmen, Hell's Angels, and Vagos. All gangs
left the area at the end of the weekend. All equipment purchased for this
operation will be stored at Lake Mead as part of a national cache for use
throughout the National Park System. Anyone needing items from this cache
should contact WASO Ranger Activities for approval, and it will be shipped
from Lake Mead. [Capt. Mike O'Neal, RAD/WRO, 4/19]
Thursday, April 22, 1993
93-202 - Lake Mead (Nevada) - Probable Drowning
H.K. and L.H. were boating on Lake Mead on April 4th when they
got into a heated argument. H.K., 54, reportedly jumped overboard during
the argument and swam away from the boat. L.H. did not immediately report
the incident because he believed she was a strong swimmer and was not in
danger. He did report her missing later that day, however, and a search was
begun. Initial efforts were unsuccessful, but visitors reported her body
floating in the lake on April 20th at a point several miles from where she'd
last been seen. The coroner is conducting an investigation, but no foul
play is thought to have occurred. Alcohol was reportedly a contributing
factor. [Terry Greene, LAME, 4/21]
Tuesday, May 11, 1993
93-242 - Lake Mead (Nevada) - Illegal Shooting
On May 7th, rangers found the bodies of 14 burros in the area of Scanlon
Wash in the upper end of the park in the Gregg Basin. All had been shot,
probably over the previous five days. Investigators climbed in and around
ridges in the area on Saturday and found two more bodies. The area over
which the animals were scattered is a mile and a half long and three-
quarters mile wide; they were from a quarter to a half mile from the
lakeshore. The animals were found individually and in small groups over
three ridges. All had been shot by someone who was proficient with a high-
powered rifle. Rangers hope to contact boaters who used the area last week
to see if they can remember seeing anyone or hearing anything in that area
during their visit. [Karen Whitney, PIO, LAME, 5/10]
Friday, May 14, 1993
93-256 - Lake Mead (Nevada) - Boating Accident
C.F., wife of Zion superintendent D.F., was seriously injured
in a boating accident near Temple Bar on the afternoon of May 11th. When
one of the two houseboats being used for a federal managers meeting
experienced engine problems, C.F., D.F., and D.M., a resource
volunteer, went on 'waverunners' to make contact with the troubled boat.
Upon returning, D.F. and C.F. boarded the lead houseboat from the rear.
When C.F. attempted to mount the swim platform, her leg was sucked into the
propeller. D.F. received minor lacerations while pulling her free. C.F.
was given emergency treatment at the Temple Bar fuel docks, then evacuated
by Flight for Life helicopter to University Medical Center in Las Vegas,
where she underwent surgery. D.F. was treated and released. C.F.'s most
serious injury was to her left knee; both bones in her left leg were broken
and muscles and tissue were damaged. The surgeon reconnected ligaments to
the knee and repaired the bone. C.F. was to undergo further surgery
yesterday to flush the area against possible infection and close the wound.
She was also treated for cuts in the left thigh, the lower left leg, the
right foot, and the lower right calf. Her prognosis is good at this time -
at best, her range of motion may be limited; at worst, she may require a
knee replacement. She may be able to go home this weekend. [Karen Whitney,
LAME, 5/13]
Thursday, May 20, 1993
93-268 - Lake Mead (Nevada) - Boat Fire
Just after 8 p.m. on May 18th, rangers received a report of a boat and man
on fire at Las Vegas Bay Marina. When they arrived on scene, the boat was
fully engulfed in flames, but had been pushed from its mooring slip into
open water. The victim, G.B., 41, had third degree burns on his
arms, legs, face and head; he was air evacuated to the University Medical
Center burn unit, where he is currently listed in critical but stable
condition. [Karen Whitney, LAME, 5/19]
Tuesday, May 25, 1993
93-279 - Lake Mead (Nevada) - Attempted Homicide
M.H., 35, of Henderson, Nevada, was arrested on May 23rd and
charged with attempted murder following an assault on 32-year-old P.S.
in Government Wash on May 21st. M.H. was charged with
assaulting P.S. with an iron pipe and attempting to drown him by
pushing his face under water. According to witnesses, the altercation began
as a fist fight. P.S. received serious injuries to his face and skull
from the pipe. [Karen Whitney, LAME, 5/24]
Wednesday, June 2, 1993
93-304 - Lake Mead (Nevada) - Fatality; Unknown Cause
On May 31st, friends who went to visit L.G., 50, and R.L., 35,
on their 25-foot cabin cruiser beached at Sandy Cove found L.G. dead and
R.L. unconscious. Rangers and rescue personnel responded and began CPR on
R.L.. She was then taken by Flight for Life to Valley Medical Center,
where she was hospitalized in critical condition. An investigation into the
incident is underway; foul play, however, has been ruled out. [Mike
Blandford, LAME, 6/1]
Tuesday, June 8, 1993
93-335 - Lake Mead (Nevada) - Jet Ski Fatality
On the afternoon of June 6th, a group of jet skiers were performing stunt
maneuvers near Sandy Point when two skiers who were crossing boat wakes
collided in mid-air. Responding paramedics determined that B.W., 26,
of Fountain Valley, California, had suffered a shoulder dislocation. All
vital signs were normal. B.W. was evacuated by a Department of Public
Safety helicopter to the University Medical Center in Las Vegas, where he
subsequently died of massive internal chest injuries. [Scot Olson,
Dispatch, LAME, 6/7]
Tuesday, June 22, 1993
93-382 - Lake Mead (Nevada/Arizona) - Poaching Conviction
Two Nevada hunters recently pled no contest to state charges of unlawfully
taking an adult ram in the Willow Beach area on the Arizona side of the
Colorado River last December. Rangers assisted Nevada, Arizona and U.S.
Fish and Wildlife Service agents in the investigation, which revealed that
the two had been hunting legally in Nevada, then crossed into Arizona by
boat during the final days of the Nevada sheep season. Arizona hunters who
were legally stalking a sheep saw it shot and became suspicious when the
hunters gutted the animal quickly, then left the area without tagging the
carcass. The site of the kill was later found by investigators and it was
determined that the illegal hunters had gone to the extent of moving the gut
pile to the Nevada side of the river. Descriptions of the pair provided by
witnesses matched descriptions of two hunters who had checked a sheep in at
a Nevada wildlife department office on the same day. Conviction on the
criminal charges resulted in maximum fines against both men, one of whom had
previously been a licensed guide in Nevada. Civil proceedings now in
progress may result in a five-year revocation of hunting rights for both
individuals and $10,000 in monetary restitution for the value of the 9 1/2-
year-old, 167-point ram. [Susan Warner, LAME, 6/18]
Thursday, July 1, 1993
93-429 - Lake Mead (Nevada) - Apparent Drowning
R.L., 35, of Long Beach, California, was swimming with a group
of 13 of his friends at Crappy Cove near Temple Bar on the night of June
26th when he lost his swimming trunks. He told his friends that he wasn't
coming out of the water until he was given a pair of shorts; his friends,
however, went back inside their houseboat and continued their party, which
involved a great deal of alcohol. When they noticed his disappearance later
that evening, they searched the area with boat lights without results.
Rangers were notified of the incident the following morning and found
R.L. in 14 feet of water, apparently a drowning victim. [Joel Walters,
LAME, 6/28]
Friday, July 2, 1993
93-433 - Lake Mead (Nevada) - Drowning
Park VIPs discovered the body of 23-year-old E.M. of Las Vegas in
about twelve feet of water at Box Car Cove just after 1 p.m. on June 30th.
E.M. was fully dressed in T-shirt, shorts and sneakers, and had
apparently been submerged for six to eight hours. It's believed that he may
have been boldering, lost his footing and fell into the lake.
Identification was made by checking the license plate number on an abandoned
vehicle which was found to be his. [Terry Green, LAME, 7/1]
Wednesday, July 7, 1993
93-446 - Lake Mead (Nevada) - Drowning
D.K., 60, of Las Vegas was with a group in the Boulder Beach area
on July 4th when he went swimming in the lake. D.K., who had been
drinking heavily, began struggling about 150 yards from shore, then
disappeared under the lake's surface. When efforts to find him proved
fruitless, D.K.'s companions contacted rangers. Ranger Malcolm Demunbrun
and a Life Flight helicopter responded. The victim was located about ten
minutes after Demunbrun arrived, but CPR efforts were unsuccessful. [Andres
Fujiwara, LAME, 7/6]
Friday, July 9, 1993
93-465 - Lake Mead (Arizona/Nevada) - Assist; Major Accident
A three-vehicle accident injuring ten people occurred on Highway 93 just
south of Hoover Dam just before 9 p.m. on July 5th. Arizona DPS contacted
the park shortly thereafter and requested major fire, medical and traffic
assistance. Two park engines, the Boulder District medical rescue unit and
four patrol units responded. Boulder Beach Engine Four personnel extricated
two victims who were trapped in their vehicles. Three victims who were
critically injured were transported by Flight for Life and DPS helicopters,
and six others were treated and transported by park and Kingman, Arizona,
ambulances. Total emergency units on scene consisted of two helicopters,
the two park structural engines, one park rescue unit, the Kingman
ambulance, and nine DPS and NPS patrol units. Highway 93, which is a major
route from Phoenix to Las Vegas, was blocked for over three hours, with
traffic backed up over six miles. [CRO, LAME, 7/7]
Wednesday, July 14, 1993
93-475 - Lake Mead (Nevada/Arizona) - Drug Lab Seizure; Arrest
On July 3rd, rangers arrested D.M., 20, of Kingman, Arizona, for
possession of drug manufacturing equipment which was found during a probable
cause search of his vehicle at South Telephone Cove. A drug dog helped
rangers to find a complete portable methamphetamine laboratory, including
glassware, cooking reactor, drying system and filtering system. The lab,
which was capable of producing up to one pound of methamphetamine per
cooking, was unique in that it was operated from a battery park. Recipes
and manufacturing instructions for LSD and DMT were also found. The lab is
compact and can be operated booth indoors or outdoors. [Mike Blandford,
LAME, 7/13]
Friday, August 20, 1993
93-618 - Lake Mead (Nevada) - Homicide
B.B., 38, of Laughlin, Nevada, and M.B., 40, of Bullhead
City, Nevada, went water skiing near Katherine's Landing on July 6th. When
M.B. returned the boat to its owner later that day, he was alone.
M.B. told the boat's owner that he'd killed "the little surfer dude",
then left the area. B.B.'s body surfaced near the water intake barge at
Katherine's Landing on July 14th. An investigation into the incident is
underway. [Dispatch, LAME, 8/17]
Friday, August 20, 1993
93-624 - Lake Mead (Nevada) - Drowning
On August 15th, M.G.-A., 27, of Las Vegas, Nevada, jumped from
his boat in Las Vegas Bay Harbor and began swimming around. He eventually
became fatigued and sank beneath the lake's surface. Park rangers responded
and recovered his body, which was transported by helicopter to a local
hospital. [Dispatch, LAME, 8/17]
Wednesday, September 8, 1993
93-679 - Lake Mead (Nevada) - Drowning
A.C., 71, drowned on August 27th when he accidentally backed the car he
was driving off the causeway at Lake Mead marina and into ten feet of water.
[Teresa Green, LAME, 9/7]
Wednesday, September 8, 1993
93-681 - Lake Mead (Nevada) - Remains Found
Hikers found several bones and tattered clothing in the Pipe Line Road area
on September 1st and brought them to Las Vegas police. Rangers were
notified and an investigation has been initiated. The bones appear to be
those of a woman, but neither the identity nor cause of death has been
determined. [Terri Greene, LAME, 9/7]
Friday, September 10, 1993
93-688 - Lake Mead (Nevada) - Sexual Assault Conviction Upheld
L.W.S. was arrested on two counts of sexual assault while
employed as a ranger at Lake Mead in 1991. L.W.S. was terminated from
employment with the NPS and found guilty of one count of open or gross
lewdness (a gross misdemeanor in Nevada) on November 12, 1991. L.W.S.
subsequently appealed his conviction to the state's supreme court. On May
28th, the appeal was dismissed in a unanimous decision by that court. [Mike
Blandford, LAME, 9/9]
Thursday, September 23, 1993
93-721 - Lake Mead (Nevada) - Three Drownings
On the evening of September 21st, H.M. and his family were
visiting the Cabin Point site in the Katharine area on Lake Mohave.
H.M. and his wife were outside of their 1974 van, which was parked on an
incline, when one of the four children inside accidentally knocked it out of
gear and it rolled into the lake at a point where the water is about 25 feet
deep. H.M. immediately dove in the water and rescued his two sons
before the vehicle turned over, but was unable to reach his two daughters,
ages one and three, and drowned while attempting to save them. Rangers and
Bullhead City officers were notified and responded to the scene. Bullhead
City divers recovered the bodies of the two girls from the van. [Dispatch,
LAME, 9/22]
Wednesday, October 13, 1993
93-766 - Lake Mead (Nevada) - Felon Arrested
On October 7th, rangers arrested M.P., a felon who'd escaped
from the Clark Center, a halfway house in Las Vegas. M.P. had provided
false information to rangers the day before, but investigation led to the
discovery of his true identity. M.P. had been awaiting trial in Las
Vegas for an April, 1993 bank robbery. He was arrested without incident.
[Mike Blandford, LAME, 10/12]
Wednesday, October 20, 1993
93-773 - Lake Mead (Nevada) - MVA with Two Fatalities
The park received a report of a vehicle over the side of the Callville Bay
access road on the afternoon of October 15th. Responding rangers found a
Toyota pickup truck and the bodies of its two occupants - J.B. and
C.H., both 19 and from Las Vegas. It was subsequently
learned that the pair had been missing since October 9th. [Terri Greene,
LAME, 10/19]
Monday, October 25, 1993
93-776 - Lake Mead (Nevada) - Drowning
G.P., 58, of Descanso, California, was reported missing on October
20th after he accidentally fell overboard from his boat at Sandy Point in
Cottonwood Cove. The park's four-member dive team subsequently recovered
his body. [Terri Greene, LAME, 10/21]
Wednesday, November 3, 1993
93-790 - Lake Mead (Nevada) - Significant Visitor Injury
Actor J.-M.V. underwent surgery on October 24th after a dog bit
off a thumb-sized part of his lip following a boat race on the lake. The
incident occurred during a dockside victory celebration after J.-M.V. won a
Pacific Offshore Powerboat Racing Association race. J.-M.V. reached down to
pet a Rottweiler that was there with its owners. The owners warned J.-M.V.
not to touch the dog; when he continued to do so, the dog nipped at him and
took off part of his lip. The dog was taken by rangers to a Boulder animal
shelter, then released to its owners the following day. [St. Louis Post
Dispatch, 10/26]
Friday, November 12, 1993
93-803 - Lake Mead (Nevada) - Assault on Ranger
Late on the evening of November 6th, ranger Ryan Regnell responded to a
complaint of a dispute between campers at Las Vegas Bay campground. During
the investigation, A.W., who was apparently under the influence of
alcohol, attacked Regnell with a pair of tennis shoes that he was carrying.
After a brief struggle, A.W. was taken into custody. He was charged with
assault on a federal office and possession of a controlled substance.
Regnell sustained minor cuts and a torn uniform. [Mike Blandford, LAME,
11/10]
Monday, February 7, 1994
94-50 - Lake Mead (Nevada) - Fatality
Rangers responding to a visitor's report on February 3rd found the body of
A.B., 39, of Yuma, Arizona, inside a burned-out vehicle in Gypsum
Wash. The cause of death is unknown. Las Vegas Metro officers are
investigating the death. [Dispatch, LAME, 2/4]
Wednesday, February 23, 1994
94-83 - Lake Mead (Nevada) - Drowning
B.H., 55, of Las Vegas, Nevada, fell from his boat at Callville Bay
Marina on February 20th and sank underwater before anyone could reach him.
Two divers from a nearby boat volunteered to assist rangers in the search
for the victim's body, which was recovered in 75 feet of water after about
three hours. The cause of death has not yet been determined. According to
witnesses, B.H. had just stepped from the dock onto the stern of his 34-
foot SeaRay when he apparently slipped and fell face down into the water.
[Andres Fujiwara, LAME, 2/22]
Thursday, April 7, 1994
94-159 - Lake Mead (Nevada) - MVA with Fatality
A.G., 35, of Las Vegas, Nevada, was killed on April 5th when
his vehicle went through a guardrail and plunged 100 feet to the bottom of a
canyon. A.G. was not wearing a seatbelt and was ejected from the
vehicle. There were no witnesses to the accident. [Randy Evans, LAME, 4/6]
Tuesday, April 19, 1994
94-166 - Lake Mead (Nevada) - Boat Accident; Probable Multiple Fatalities
Just before midnight on April 10th, a 29-year-old Las Vegas man was found
floating in the lake's water by a fisherman. He was taken to the Hemenway
launch ramp and rangers were notified. According to the rescued man, who
was subsequently taken to a hospital for treatment of hypothermia, his wife,
their 15-month-old baby, and a second man were with him in a 19-foot ski
boat when it began developing problems near the Hemenway Wall area of the
lake earlier that evening. While the operator attempted to restart the
boat's engine, it began taking on water over the stern and sinking rapidly.
The rescued man lost contact with the others in his party shortly after
entering the water. A search for the three missing people was immediately
begun. Debris believed to be from the boat was found off Promontory Point
at the entrance to the Black Canyon area. The body of the infant, who was
wearing a PFD (life jacket), was found around 3 a.m., but no sign was found
of the other two victims. They were last seen clinging to an ice chest;
neither was wearing a PFD. At the time of the report, a search for the pair
was underway. [Karen Whitney, PIO, LAME, 4/11]
Wednesday, April 20, 1994
94-178 - Lake Mead (Nevada) - Multiple Arrests
The park and Mohave County sheriff's office have closed 43 felony
investigations from the past two years with the arrest of a number of
Bullhead City juveniles. Twenty of the felonies occurred at Katherine
Landing and included five cases of vehicle arson, a vehicle theft, and a
number of auto and boat burglaries. Stolen articles were used by the
suspects to finance the purchase of narcotics. The suspects will stand
trial as adults on all 43 counts. One 17-year-old has accepted a plea
bargain for a prison sentence of 15 years. A major break in the case came
when an assault victim provided rangers at Katherine with a detailed
description of the getaway car. That description led to the youths' arrest
by county deputies. [Bud Inman, LAME, 4/14]
Thursday, May 19, 1994
94-221 - Lake Mead (Nevada) - MVA with Fatality
One man was killed and three other men were injured in a head-on collision
involving four vehicles on US 93 just north of the Alan Bible Visitor Center
on May 15th. The driver of a 1989 pickup attempted to pass another vehicle
at a high rate of speed and hit an oncoming pickup. The latter spun and
struck two other vehicles. The victim was thrown from the back of the first
truck onto the roadway, then run over by that truck. The driver was
arrested on a charge of felony reckless driving resulting in a death.
Wreckage from the four vehicles was scattered all along the roadside;
traffic was backed up for five miles and ultimately diverted along Lakeshore
Road for the five hours it took to clear the highway. [Bud Inman, ACR,
LAME, 5/18]
Thursday, May 19, 1994
94-225 - Lake Mead (Nevada) - Drowning
On the afternoon of May 15th, R.D., 35, of Las Vegas, drowned at
Pillar Cove. R.D. had driven to 33 Hole in the park with his family about
an hour before the incident occurred. R.D. had set out to swim across the
cove when a 10-year-old boy behind him began calling for help. R.D. turned
back to swim to the boy, but began having difficulty himself. R.D.'s
brother and son dove in the water from the opposite side of the cove to help
the two swimmers. His brother reached the area first and assisted the
child, not knowing that his brother was experiencing difficulties. The son
swam to him, but was unable to keep him from going under. Other visitors
arrived on scene and attempted to help. Rangers were contacted by cellular
phone from one of the boats. Help arrived on scene within minutes, but
R.D. had been underwater 20 minutes by that time. The park dive team was
called to the scene and recovered R.D.'s body from about 15 feet of water.
[Bud Inman, LAME, 5/17]
Thursday, May 26, 1994
94-243 - Lake Mead (Nevada) - Attempted Carjacking
On Sunday, May 22nd, a visitor contacted rangers and reported that a group
of six to eight juveniles had attempted to carjack his vehicle near The
Cliffs on Northshore Road. Although they were unsuccessful, they were able
to damage the car with rocks. All parties subsequently left the area. The
victim was able to describe his assailants' sedan, and the car was
subsequently stopped by rangers and Las Vegas officers. The juveniles were
associated with the Donner Street Crips gang in Las Vegas. One subject was
arrested by rangers and will be charged in federal court. [Eunice Van
Kuren, LAME, 5/24]
Thursday, May 26, 1994
94-244 - Lake Mead (Nevada) - Armed Robbery
Four men who were fishing in the Cottonwood area of Lake Mohave at 4:30 a.m.
on May 24th were approached by three masked individuals possessing long arm
type weapons. One of the fisherman fled the area; two others hid while
awaiting the opportunity to flee; the fourth was abducted and held at
gunpoint. The abducted fisherman was robbed of $180, then thrown into Lake
Mohave. Ranger Glen Anderson and investigator Ernie Soper were called to
the scene in response to a 911 call from one of the fishermen who'd fled the
area. They were able to positively identify one of the individuals, who is
believed to be a member of the S-M gang in Las Vegas. Investigators have
consulted with the state's district attorney's office; arrest warrants are
now being prepared. [John Marsh, LAME, 5/25]
Thursday, May 26, 1994
94-245 - Lake Mead (Nevada) - Homicides; Victims Recovered
On May 25th, Las Vegas police and Lake Mead rangers, acting on an anonymous
tip, recovered the bodies of two people who had been killed, wrapped in
cloth, and buried in a shallow desert grave near Calville Bay. The
victims - S.R., 40, and J.S., 27 - had been reported missing
in Las Vegas on February 19th. Three persons have been arrested and charged
with the murders. [Bud Inman, LAME, 5/25]
Friday, May 27, 1994
94-254 - Lake Mead (Nevada) - Search
On Wednesday, May 18th, Cottonwood Cove rangers were notified by a park
visitor that a man and a woman in a low profile bass boat were overdue for a
scheduled pickup at the cove. The visitor also said that the boat was very
narrow in construction and easily swamped, and that the operator has in fact
swamped the boat on at least three previous occasions. At the time of the
report, winds were blowing at 40 mph and waters were rough, and it was
feared that the boat had capsized in open water. A search was begun by air
and water of all of Lake Mohave. Debris was spotted by Bruce Lennon, the
park pilot, but it was eventually determined that it was not associated with
the bass boat. On the morning of the 19th, Lennon located the boat tucked
into some brush in a small cove on the northeast side of the lake. The
couple didn't realize that they were due back the previous morning and were
having a great time. [Bud Inman, LAME, 5/24]
Wednesday, June 1, 1994
94-260 - Lake Mead (Nevada) - Parasailing Fatality
M.D., 18, was killed on the afternoon of May 29th when he fell from a
collapsed parasail while he and his family were testing their new
parasailing equipment in the 33 Hole area near Las Vegas Bay. M.D. was about
50 to 75 feet in the air behind a ski boat when the parasail collapsed and
he fell into the water, landing on his left side. M.D. was transported by
boat to the Las Vegas Bay launch ramp, then airlifted by helicopter to a
local hospital, where he died shortly thereafter. [Bud Inman, LAME, 5/31]
Thursday, June 2, 1994
94-263 - Lake Mead (Nevada) - Burglary Arrests
At 2 a.m. on May 29th, a security guard at the Lake Mohave Resort observed
two people, one in a wetsuit, swimming among the boats in the resort's
marina. The two swam away when the guard approached and asked them to
identify themselves. One of them eluded arrest, but the other, a 17-year-
old male, was apprehended as he tried to leave the water. Ernie Soper, the
park's criminal investigator, interviewed the young man; Soper determined
that the pair were in fact in the process of burglarizing boats, and that
his partner was probably hiding back at their camp in the sand dunes. The
partner, E.B., 18, was apprehended and questioned regarding the
pair's activities that night and about prior burglaries in the area. The
two men stated that there was also a third party, who was the group's ring
leader. They provided descriptions of property that had been stolen in
prior burglaries, and the house in which these items were stored. A search
warrant was secured and served on a residence in Bullhead City, Arizona.
Numerous items were discovered, including property stolen in burglaries in
the Katherine area. J.F., 18, was arrested and charged with
criminal trespass, theft, and tampering. The juvenile was on parole from a
juvenile facility in Phoenix and was therefore turned over to the county.
Charges are pending against E.B. Bullhead City police and Mohave County
deputies are continuing the investigation and hope to clear many more
burglaries. [Bud Inman, LAME, 6/1]
Tuesday, June 7, 1994
94-269 - Lake Mead (Nevada) - Memorial Day Incidents
The park had a very busy Memorial Day weekend, with over 200,000 people
visiting the area over the three-day period. One indicator of the degree of
activity: Visitors had to wait for up to an hour and a half to retrieve
their boats from the water at the park's launch ramps. Lake Mead's 40
commissioned rangers (down 11 from the authorized level) were augmented by
officers and personnel from the Nevada Department of Wildlife, Arizona Game
and Fish Department, Bullhead Police Department, and the U.S. Coast Guard.
The park volunteer staff also provided excellent support by keeping traffic
moving and providing information to visitors at launch ramps. Significant
incidents during the weekend included:
* The rescue of a visitor from drowning near Katherine by district
interpretive ranger Rex Norman. While operating his personal water
craft near Katherine Harbor, he spotted a boat sinking. Upon arrival,
he found a woman who was not wearing a life preserver trying to save
some belongings from the boat. When she began having difficulties
staying afloat, Norman jumped in and pulled her to a nearby boat.
* An assault on ranger Andy Rivas during a car stop. Rivas' assailant
was booked into county jail, where he was severely beaten by other
prisoners, allegedly for "having a bad attitude". When removed to an
isolation cell, he attempted to hang himself; rangers were accordingly
required to keep a 24-hour watch on him in the hospital from Sunday
until Tuesday, when he was returned to jail.
* The previously reported death of M.D., 18, in a fall while
parasailing.
* The treatment and medevac by Echo Bay rangers of a visitor who
received massive prop cuts to his upper leg when he dove into the
water and was hit by a houseboat operated by a member of his party.
* The near drowning of a visitor who crashed his jet ski into a rock and
was pulled from the lake after being thrown into the water face down
and unconscious.
* Transport of a young man to a hospital after he was injured while
trying to jump back and forth between houseboats during the night.
* Numerous contacts with Los Angeles and Las Vegas street gang members,
who came to the park in groups of five to 20. Gang members caused
serious concern to other visitors when they brandished or talked about
weapons they had with them, but all incidents were handled without
problem.
Over the course of the weekend, rangers issued 222 violation notices (many
more were given by Nevada and Arizona officers) and made 41 arrests. Among
the latter were 15 arrests for drunk driving, eight arrests for possession
or sale of a controlled substance, four fugitive warrant arrests, and one
murder warrant arrest. Rangers also responded to 85 water rescues, 20 EMS
incidents, 13 boating and two motor vehicle accidents, 10 larcenies, two
burglaries, two vehicle thefts, two weapons violations, and a boat fire.
[Bud Inman, LAME, 6/6]
Tuesday, June 7, 1994
94-270 - Lake Mead (Nevada) - Burglary Arrest
Early on the morning of May 11th, the government dock at Lake Mead was
entered illegally. A park patrol boat was vandalized, and the marine radio
and other equipment were taken. A witness was able to provide rangers with
the license number of the suspects' vehicle, which was registered in Oregon,
and physical descriptions of both of them. Criminal investigator Malcolm
Demunbrun was able to track down the two individuals, both of whom live in
the Las Vegas area. They were charged with burglary and confessed to the
crime. They will appear in court on June 21st. [Bud Inman, LAME, 6/6]
Wednesday, June 8, 1994
94-272 - Lake Mead (Nevada) - Rescue
G.L.S., 31, was seriously injured on June 5th when he dove off a
25 foot cliff near the launch ramp at Government Wash and landed on his head
in shallow water less than a foot deep. G.L.S. was assisted by two park
visitors at the scene, who then employed a recently-installed solar powered
emergency telephone at the launch ramp to summon help. Rangers and the park
rescue team stabilized G.L.S., after which he was medevaced by helicopter
to the University Medical Center in Las Vegas, where he is in critical
condition. One of the visitors who provided initial aid, an Air Force
security policeman, reported that he'd seen G.L.S. prior to the accident,
and that G.L.S. had been intoxicated. [Bud Inman, LAME, 6/6]
Thursday, June 9, 1994
94-280 - Lake Mead (Nevada) - Felony Arrest
On May 29th, ranger Bob Carnes observed a vehicle whose operator was
apparently under the influence of alcohol and stopped it near Government
Wash on Northshore Road. While Carnes was performing field sobriety tests
on the driver, G.V.-Q., park dispatch informed him that
G.V.-Q. was wanted by Las Vegas police for attempted murder, three
counts of sexual assault with great bodily harm, and one count of
kidnapping. G.V.-Q. was arrested on the warrants and transported to
a Las Vegas jail. [Bud Inman, LAME, 6/8]
Tuesday, June 14, 1994
94-293 - Lake Mead (Nevada) - Car Clouts
Nine vehicles in the Boulder Beach, Las Vegas Wash, Callville and Katherine
areas were burglarized and vandalized on June 9th. Entry was gained by
breaking the vehicles' rear wind wing windows. A pickup truck at Las Vegas
Wash also had all its windows smashed; another pickup was stolen at about
the same time, and that theft is believed to be related to the burglaries.
The latter was subsequently found at an apartment complex in Las Vegas.
Ranger have not yet been able to contact most vehicle owners to determine
the amount of loss, but one owner claimed losses in excess of $2,000.
Investigations are continuing. [Bud Inman, LAME, 6/10]
Tuesday, June 14, 1994
94-294 - Lake Mead (Nevada) - Drowning
J.L.M., 22, of Las Vegas, was swimming near Hemenway Fishing Point
on June 12th when he began to have difficulties and called for help.
Several friends attempted to rescue him, but were unsuccessful. A dive team
later recovered his body. [Grace Gerken, LAME, 6/13]
Tuesday, June 14, 1994
94-295 - Lake Mead (Nevada) - Search; Probable Drowning
On June 6th, the park received a report that a man had disappeared while
sailboarding off Boulder Beach. The reporting party said that the man had
not returned to his vehicle by 6:30 p.m., and that he'd last been seen
wearing a black helmet and white T-shirt but no life jacket. Rangers
located a vehicle registered to J.P., 38, of Las Vegas, in the
parking lot. A land and water search for J.P. was begun and continued
through the following day with the assistance of an Arizona state police
helicopter. During the day, a visitor brought a sailboard that he'd found
at the entrance to Callville Bay to rangers at that location. The bay is
about ten miles across the lake from the point where J.P. was last seen.
J.P. did not show up for work as scheduled and has not contacted either
family or friends. He had only moderate experience sailboarding. The
search has been discontinued. [Bud Inman, LAME, 6/10]
Thursday, June 16, 1994
94-307 - Lake Mead (Nevada) - Burglary Arrests
A.C., 28, of no known address, was arrested by rangers on 12
burglary counts after he was observed attempting to remove property from
boats in the Lake Mead Marina dry storage area on June 11th. Rangers
located several caches of stolen property while searching for A.C. and
found numerous knives, a spear gun, water skis, life jackets and other
property. A.C. is an itinerant who has been living in the desert for
several months. [Bud Inman, LAME, 6/13]
Thursday, July 7, 1994
94-360 - Lake Mead (Nevada) - Special Event; Multiple Incidents
A Grateful Dead concert in Las Vegas led to a dramatic increase in
visitation - a total of almost 80,000 people - to the Boulder Basin area of
the park over the period from Thursday, June 24th, to Sunday, June 27th.
Rangers from Organ Pipe, Death Valley, Santa Monica Mountains, Grand Canyon
and Hubble Trading Post were called in to assist; also involved were Boulder
City police and Nevada highway patrol officers. Checkpoints were
established in the Boulder District, which made it possible for rangers to
control the situation. An undercover investigative team worked the camping
areas and made 16 narcotics cases, including eight for felony possession of
hashish, valium, mushrooms and marijuana. A 1991 Dodge truck, a 1992
Lincoln Continental and over $1200 were seized. Cases were also made on
sales of t-shirts, possession of paraphernalia, driving under the influence,
resisting arrest, vandalism and numerous traffic offenses. Due to the high
weekend temperatures, which reached 122 degrees, there were numerous cases
of heat exhaustion and heat stroke. One jet ski accident occurred in which
a male rider received multiple injuries. There was a structural fire
involving highly flammable explosive materials in a boat repair area on
Friday. Two engines with their crews were dispatched and suppressed the
mid-afternoon blaze. The cause of the fire is under investigation;
spontaneous combustion seems likely. A boat explosion occurred at
Katherine's Landing during the weekend. Bullhead city units responded.
Only two of the five people on board were injured. Investigation revealed
that a flame arrestor on the carburetor was loose and that the blower motor
was inoperable. Rounding out the weekends events were two lightning-caused
wildfires, two boat fires, three burglaries, a stolen vehicle, and 19
medical calls - three requiring advanced life support. [Dale Antonich, CR,
LAME, 7/5]
Friday, July 8, 1994
94-363 - Lake Mead (Nevada) - Drowning
J.L.M., 22, of Las Vegas, was swimming about 40 yards offshore near
Hemenway fishing point on the evening of June 12th when he began calling for
help. Another park visitor, M.M., swam to J.L.M.'s assistance, but
was unable to hold him above water. Park rangers and divers responded to
the scene but were unable to quickly locate J.L.M.. His body was found later
that evening. While the exact cause of the incident is still under
investigation, it's believed that Meija became tired while swimming. This
is the fourth drowning at Lake Mead this year. [Dale Antonich, CR, LAME,
7/5]
Monday, July 11, 1994
94-367 - Lake Mead (Nevada/Arizona) - Boating Accident with Fatality
H.D., 34, of Las Vegas, died on July 3rd of injuries sustained in
a personal watercraft accident that occurred on Lake Mohave on the morning
of June 26th. H.D. was the first of three people riding personal
watercraft in a "follow-the-leader" game between tamarisk bushes in shallow
water along the shore in Liberty Cove on the Arizona side of the lake.
According to one of the riders, they were traveling about 35 to 40 feet
apart and running at speeds around 35 miles per hour. H.D. rode between
two bushes about a dozen feet from shore; the person following him passed
between the same bushes and struck H.D., who had apparently fallen from
his machine into the water. He was taken in critical condition to
University Medical Center, where he subsequently succumbed to his injuries.
[Bud Inman, LAME, 7/5]
Wednesday, July 13, 1994
94-377 - Lake Mead (Nevada/Arizona) - Falling Fatality
R.F., 35, fell about 900 feet to his death from Twin Point on the
Shivwits Plateau in a remote section of the park sometime on the evening of
July 2nd. R.F., who had just moved to St. George, Utah, was camping with
a female companion at a campsite on the end of Twin Point on the North Rim
of Grand Canyon. He left camp at 7 p.m., stating that he was going to look
for a way to hike down into the canyon. When he failed to return, his
friend reported him missing to NPS fire personnel at the Shivwits fire camp
on the morning of July 3rd. Air and hasty ground searches were initiated
and a full SAR team was summoned from Lake Mead. Air Force and BLM
helicopters also joined in the search effort. NPS ground searchers found
R.F.'s body on the morning of July 4th. He apparently went over the edge
35 yards from the camp, fell about 450 feet, hit a ledge, rolled over the
side, and fell another 450 feet before his fall was arrested by a tree.
Technical rock climbing was required to reach the victim, whose body was
subsequently airlifted from the scene. [Bud Inman, LAME, 7/11]
Thursday, July 14, 1994
94-378 - Lake Mead (Nevada/Arizona) - Boating Accident; Two Fatalities
Two persons were killed and a third seriously injured in a boat accident in
the park on Sunday, July 10th. The boat was being operated at a high rate
of speed when it crashed into rocks along the shoreline as the operator was
returning to Callville Bay through Boulder Canyon. Killed were S.J.,
39, the boat's operator, and R.J., 47, both of Las Vegas.
A 16-year-old male who was also a passenger in the boat was taken to
Callville Bay by boat, then flown to a hospital, where he remains in serious
condition. The accident is under investigation. [Bud Inman, LAME, 7/11]
Thursday, July 14, 1994
94-379 - Lake Mead (Nevada/Arizona) - Boating Accident; Two Drownings
P.L., 42, and A.T., 54, both of Las Vegas, drowned on the
evening of June 29th when their 15-foot, open-bow boat capsized northeast of
Fish Island at the mouth of the Virgin River. The other six passengers in
the boat - five adults and a two-year-old child - were rescued by park
visitors. Rangers received a report of the accident about 45 minutes after
it occurred and responded along with an Air Force rescue helicopter and a
Flight for Life helicopter. Divers searched for the victims that night and
the following morning, but were unable to locate them. They were found on
July 1st when the park pilot spotted them from the air. Two adults and the
child were taken to a city hospital and are listed in stable condition.
Three others were checked at the scene and found to be uninjured. Only the
child was wearing a life jacket at the time of the accident. An
investigation is underway. [Bud Inman, LAME, 7/11]
Wednesday, July 20, 1994
94-403 - Lake Mead (Nevada/Arizona) - Drowning
J.W., 22, of Boulder City, went out to the water intake tower on
Saddle Island with several friends on July 15th to jump from the tower into
the lake. After J.W. jumped in, his friends saw him surface and heard
him say something; he then briefly floated face down before disappearing
beneath the lake's surface. A boat search proved fruitless. No dive
efforts were made because the lake is too deep in the area where J.W.
drowned. [Terri Greene, LAME, 7/18]
Wednesday, July 20, 1994
94-404 - Lake Mead (Nevada/Arizona) - MVA with Fatality
A.G., 52, of Henderson, Nevada, was driving on Lakeshore Road
when he failed to negotiate a curve. His car left the roadway, flew about
65 feet through the air, then struck a small hill. A.G. was killed on
impact. Alcohol was a factor in the accident. This was the park's 29th
fatality this year. [Terri Greene, LAME, 7/18]
Thursday, July 21, 1994
94-408 - Lake Mead (Arizona/Nevada) - Drowning
Sixteen-year-old A.S.G. of Puerto Rico drowned while
playing ball with his family and friends in Lake Mead on the afternoon of
July 13th. A.S.G. and other young people were playing with a ball in
shallow water on a point of land at 8.0 Wash just south of Northshore Road.
The wind caught the ball and blew it into deeper water and A.S.G. went
after it. He stepped off a steep underwater embankment which is covered
with very soft sand, lost his footing, and sank into deep water. Family
members were not able to reach him before he sank out of sight. Park divers
recovered his body later that afternoon. [Karen Whitney, LAME, 7/20]
Friday, July 22, 1994
94-411 - Lake Mead (Nevada/Arizona) - Shooting
On July 14th, B.F., 19, of Las Vegas, Nevada, admitted himself to
Boulder City Hospital for treatment of a gunshot wound received while in the
park. B.F. and five of his friends, members of a large gang known as the
"Flip Side Phenoi" gang, were reportedly fishing in the El Dorado Canyon
area of Lake Mohave, a remote location 25 miles south of Boulder City. Two
other fishermen were about 50 feet away when they arrived in the area around
2 a.m., but members of F.'s group said that no words were exchanged with
them. About ten minutes after their arrival, one of the two fishermen
opened fire on B.F. and his friends; the second fisherman soon removed a
gun from his tackle box and also opened fire. B.F. felt a bullet strike
him in the arm and jumped into the water. B.F.'s assailants fled the area,
stopping long enough to smash the windows of the two vehicles belonging to
F.'s group. Investigating rangers discovered ten spent .22 shell casings
and one .25 shell casing at the scene. The two assailants are believed to
belong to a rival gang called "The International Brotherhood of Phenoi."
[Bud Inman, LAME, 7/20]
Wednesday, July 27, 1994
94-424 - Lake Mead (Nevada/Arizona) - Three Fatalities
On the morning of July 17th, G.S., 25, and her sons, Jo., six, and
Ju., two, left their campsite in search of another campsite. At some
point, their vehicle apparently became wedged between two rocks and they
attempted to walk out. G.S. expired in the roadway in the wash bottom,
where her body was later found. A search was begun for her children, and
Ju.'s body was found further up the wash. The park's search and rescue
helicopter subsequently found their vehicle. Searchers from Metro SAR found
Jo.'s body further down the wash on a rocky knoll. Metro police homicide
detectives are investigating the incident. The three fatalities bring the
total number of deaths in the park this year to 32. [Terri Greene, LAME,
7/26]
Thursday, August 18, 1994
94-478 - Lake Mead (Nevada/Arizona) - Body Found; Possible Homicide Victim
Early on the morning of August 16th, a fisherman near Las Vegas Wash found a
body floating in the lake. Rangers recovered the body of an unidentified
man; preliminary examination indicates that the death occurred under
suspicious circumstances. The body was removed by the coroner's office and
an autopsy is scheduled. Park investigators and Las Vegas Metro homicide
investigators are working the case. [Dispatch, LAME, 8/16]
Wednesday, August 31, 1994
94-511 - Lake Mead (Arizona/Nevada) - Homicide
A visitor who was walking his dog along East Lake Mead Boulevard on August
27th came upon the remains of a woman in her mid- to late twenties.
According to the coroner, the victim had been murdered. Park and city
criminal investigators are investigating her death, the park's 37th fatality
this year. [Terri Greene, LAME, 8/28]
Thursday, September 15, 1994
94-553 - Lake Mead (Nevada) - Assist; Armed Robbery
Around 4:30 p.m. on September 3rd, the Gold Strike Casino, which is in the
park near the visitor center on U.S. 93, reported an armed robbery in their
park area. Park rangers and local officers responded. The victim reported
that a man with a semi-automatic type weapon attempted to steal his 1994
BMW. The victim gave up his keys and fled to contact casino security. Due
to a built in security code, the suspect was unable to start the car and
fled with a companion in a black Integra. A search by rangers, officers and
the park aircraft proved fruitless. [Bud Inman, LAME, 9/7]
Monday, September 26, 1994
94-569 - Lake Mead (Nevada) - Drowning
R.G., 27, of Houston, Texas, drowned just north of the lunch ramp
courtesy dock at Government Wash on the afternoon of September 20th.
According to witnesses, R.G. was swimming across a narrow cove about 50
yards wide when he screamed, then went under water. One of witnesses, Toth
Andras of Las Vegas, swam to where to the point where R.G. went under, but
was unable to locate him because of the murky water in the area. Andras then
swam back to shore and hailed a park patrol boat that had just arrived in the
area. The ranger radioed for the park's dive team, which located the victim
approximately 25 yards from shore in 14 feet of water. [Bud Inman, LAME,
9/22]
Wednesday, December 14, 1994
94-670 - Lake Mead (Nevada) - MVA with Fatality
On December 12th, park dispatch received a report of an erratic driver in the
vicinity of the Katherine's Landing access road. Responding rangers discovered
a single-car rollover accident. The operator, 45-year-old R.H. of
Tucson, Arizona, was critically injured and was air-lifted from the park to a
local trauma center. He died the following morning from injuries sustained in
the accident. Alcohol is believed to be a contributing factor. [Grace Gerken,
LAME, 12/13]
Thursday, December 29, 1994
94-687 - Lake Mead (Nevada) - Homicide
The body of a woman in her late 20s or early 30s was found in an area
frequented by transient campers along East Lake Mead Boulevard around 4 a.m. on
December 18th. The victim was only partly clothed and had apparently been the
victim of a sexual assault. Las Vegas police took over the investigation when
it was determined that the crime scene was just outside the park's boundary.
Several 9mm shell casings were found at the scene. Campers in the area
reported hearing several gunshots between 3 a.m. and 4 a.m., but stated that
they hadn't thought much of them because gunshots are so common in the area.
The victim has not yet been identified. [Bud Inman, LAME, 12/27]
Thursday, December 29, 1994
94-689 - Lake Mead (Nevada) - Fire
On December 19th, a fire broke out at a construction project at Echo Wash
bridge on Northshore Road. A 50-gallon propane tank ignited and the fire
quickly spread to several other pieces of construction equipment. A four-
person crew and engine from Echo Bay made the initial attack and were soon
supported by another park unit from Callville Bay, a Clark County pumper, and a
medical unit from Logandale. The construction site was evacuated and traffic
on the road was stopped for about 90 minutes. There were no injuries. A
mobile concrete cutter, a mixing tank, and about a dozen wooden guardrail posts
were destroyed. The exact cause of blaze is unknown, but it appears that a
spark from a piece of equipment may have ignited a propane leak. [Bud Inman,
LAME, 12/27]
Friday, January 6, 1995
95-02 - Lake Mead (Nevada) - MVA; Major Road Closure
U.S. 93, the main north-south highway between Phoenix and Las Vegas, was
blocked for about 15 hours on January 3rd after a tractor trailer tipped over
between the park visitor center and Hoover Dam. The truck, which was carrying
about 50,000 pounds of frozen potatoes, ended up hanging over a cliff edge.
Traffic was rerouted south on U.S. 95 to Laughlin and Kingman while the road
was blocked. The driver was uninjured. [Malcolm DeMunbrun, LAME, 1/5]
Wednesday, January 25, 1995
95-25 - Lake Mead (Nevada) - Homicide
On January 21st, a visitor in the Nelson's Landing area of the park found a
skull which appeared to have a bullet in it. A joint search by rangers and
Metro PD officers led to the discovery of additional remains; they apparently
were originally placed in a cargo trunk, which was then burned and thrown down
a wash. The victim was subsequently identified as 64-year-old R.R. of
Las Vegas. A joint investigation into the murder is underway. [Grace Gerken,
LAME, 1/24]
Wednesday, February 1, 1995
95-39 - Lake Mead (Nevada) - Falling Fatality
J.C., 19, an airman from Nellis Air Force Base, was climbing with
friends in the East River Mountains on January 28th when he decided to check
out a cave below them. On his way back to the group, he reached for a rock
that gave way, fell 60 feet, then tumbled another 40 feet. He died of severe
head trauma. The park's SAR team responded and evacuated the body. [CRO,
LAME, 1/30]
Wednesday, April 19, 1995
95-165 - Lake Mead (Nevada) - Assault with Deadly Weapon
Rangers and park investigators arrested J.M., 40, of Las Vegas, after an
altercation at Government Wash on the evening of April 8th. J.M. allegedly
held a 9mm hand gun to the victim's head, then beat him. Two semi-automatic
hand guns were seized from participants in the fight. [Malcom Demumbrun, LAME,
4/17]
Friday, April 21, 1995
95-171 - Lake Mead (Nevada) - Serious Falling Injury
M.B., 38, fell between 20 and 30 feet down the 4.2 Cliffs off
Northshore Road on the afternoon of April 8th. He landed on rocks at the base
of the cliff and suffered serious injuries to his face and neck. A private
vessel took him to Las Vegas Boat Harbor, where he was picked up and taken to
the trauma unit at a local hospital. [Bud Inman, LAME, 4/17]
Thursday, May 11, 1995
95-214 - Lake Mead (Nevada) - Rescue
G.F., 39, of Las Vegas fell about 20 feet while scrambling over large
boulders in Gold Strike Canyon on the morning of May 3rd. A companion reported
the incident to boaters o the river below Hoover Dam. Park and Las Vegas
police SAR teams responded and evacuated G.F. by ground, boat and air to a
hospital in Las Vegas, where he's listed in serious but stable condition. [Bob
Belden, LAME, 5/4]
Friday, July 7, 1995
95-384 - Lake Mead (Nevada) - Homicide
An altercation broke out between two groups at an area known as 33 Hole in Las
Vegas Bay around 2 a.m. on July 6th. The fight began with rock throwing, but
ended with the stabbing of two 20-year-old men. Friends of the victims drove
them to a local hospital, where one of them died. The remaining victim is in
critical condition. [Andre Fujiwara, LAME]
Friday, July 14, 1995
95-384 - Lake Mead (Nevada) - Follow-up on Homicide
An altercation broke out between two groups at Hole in Las Vegas Bay around 2
a.m. on July 6th. The fight began with rock throwing, but ended with the
stabbing of two 20-year-old men. Friends of the victims drove them to a local
hospital, where one of them died. On July 13th, A.T., 22, of
Henderson, Nevada, was arrested on a warrant charging him with one count of
murder and one count of attempted murder. His bail has been set at $500,00.
The case was investigated jointly by NPS criminal investigator Malcolm
DeMunbrun and Las Vegas police detectives. A.T.'s second victim remains in
the hospital, but is expected to recover. [CRO, LAME]
Wednesday, July 19, 1995
95-430 - Lake Mead (Nevada) - Shooting
S.G., 19, was shot in the right knee while in the 4.2 Cliffs area on
the afternoon of July 16th. The park learned of the incident after S.G.
was taken to a hospital, and investigators pieced together the sequence of
events following an interview with him. S.G. and two companions were
walking down toward the lake from the cliffs when they met several other young
adults coming up from the parking area. S.G. and a member of the other
group exchanged words, and one of the other members of that group pulled out a
small automatic handgun and fired three of four shots as S.G. and his
friends were running back toward their car. One of the shots hit him in the
soft tissue area of the knee. The doctor who treated him said that he'd been
struck by a .22 caliber round. S.G. would not identify his companions,
could not describe his assailants or any vehicles in the area, and declined to
pursue the matter. The exact location of the incident remains unknown, and a
general sweep of the area by rangers failed to produce any shell casings.
S.G.'s mother told investigators that he often gets into encounters of this
type because of his verbal exchanges with people. The case has been closed.
[Bud Inman, LAME]
Thursday, July 27, 1995
95-464 - Lake Mead (Nevada) - Drug Arrests
Rangers at Katherine received a tip from a cooperating law enforcement agency
that an undercover officer was unable to make contact with a suspect from
Tucson who had arranged to sell the officer a quarter pound of marijuana, and
that the suspect was probably camped on a beach at Katherine. Night patrol
rangers were advised and found the suspect and several friends. Drugs and
paraphernalia were in plain view, as was a .32 caliber pistol. A search led to
the discovery of both the marijuana and methamphetamine. Three people were
arrested for simple possession and possession of dangerous drugs for sale.
Their vehicle was seized. [Bud Inman, LAME]
Tuesday, August 8, 1995
95-495 - Lake Mead (Nevada) - Homicide
Two visitors near Horse Power Cove at Boulder Beach came upon a body floating
in the lake on the afternoon of August 4th. Rangers subsequently recovered the
body of an adult male from the shallow water just off the shoreline. He had
been shot in the back several times, and rocks had been tied to his body in an
apparent attempt to prevent its discovery. Park and Las Vegas investigators
are conducting the investigation. [Dale Antonich, CR, LAME]
Friday, August 11, 1995
95-511 - Lake Mead (Nevada) - Rescue
Ranger Bill VanInwagen was on patrol at a remote beach area on the north shore
of Lake Mead on August 5th when he saw a young boy struggling in the water
about 500 feet from shore. The boy, D.K., 12, was attempting to swim
to an island where his mother was caring for seven other children. D.K. was
yelling for help and having trouble staying above the surface of the water.
VanInwagen dove into the water, swam to D.K.'s location, and employed live-
saving techniques to bring him to shore. D.K. told him that he'd become too
tired to swim further and couldn't have gone on. D.K. would likely have
drowned without VanInwagen's intervention. [Bud Inman, LAME]
Tuesday, August 22, 1995
95-534 - Lake Mead (Nevada) - Rescues
A severe thunderstorm struck the Boulder Beach area on the afternoon of August
12th. Offshore winds in excess of 50 mph and heavy rain struck with little
warning. Ranger Tom Valenta was directing the evacuation of the beach area
when he noticed a small inflatable raft with three people in the water around
it which was about 200 yards off shore and drifting further out into the lake.
Ranger Ryan Regnell responded to the scene in a patrol boat and picked up the
trio; he could not see a fourth person struggling in the water nearby, however,
because of rough water. Valenta heard the person calling for help, realized
that Regnell couldn't see him, took off his duty gear and shoes, and swam out
to rescue him. Valenta had to twice employ his lifesaving skills to free
himself from the victim, who tried to climb on top of Valenta to save himself.
Regnell soon spotted the pair and picked them up. [Dale Antonich, CR, LAME]
Friday, September 1, 1995
95-581 - Lake Mead (Nevada/Arizona) - MVA with Seven Fatalities, Seven Injured
On August 29th, a tour van with 14 passengers flipped over on US 93 about 15
miles south of Hoover Dam near the Willow Beach turnoff. Seven of the
occupants were thrown from the vehicle and killed; seven others were taken to
University Medical Center by ambulance and helicopter. Two are in serious but
stable condition, the remainder are in fair condition. The driver lost control
of the van on a curve and overcorrected; the van rolled one and a quarter times
and came to rest on its side against an embankment at the edge of the two-lane
highway. None of the passengers was wearing a seatbelt. District ranger Bill
Sherman was first on scene and coordinated the rescue effort. He was assisted
by other rangers and Park Police officers, who responded from Hoover Dam, and
by Arizona DPS officers. Victims were scattered over a wide area. Arizona DPS
is investigating the accident, and has not yet decided what charges will be
filed against the driver. Possible charges range from speeding to vehicular
manslaughter. [Bud Inman, LAME]
Friday, September 29, 1995
95-648 - Lake Mead (Nevada) - Drowning
N.A., 12, apparently drowned while swimming with her two sisters
across a cove just west of Government Wash on Sunday, September 24th. N.A.
was on an outing with her family when the accident occurred. When N.A. and
her sister, L.A., age 6, began to have difficulties, their mother, Asuncion,
swam out to help and brought L.A. to shore. When she returned to help N.A.,
the girl had disappeared. During her attempts to find her daughter, Asuncion
also went under, but was pulled from the water by another visitor, Cesair
Garcia. CPR was administered and the mother was flown to a hospital in Las
Vegas. Park and state wildlife personnel responded and attempted to find
N.A. Her body was discovered in eight feet of water about 20 feet from
shore on Monday. Fatigue is being considered as a possible cause of the
drowning. [Bud Inman, LAME]
Tuesday, November 21, 1995
95-744 - Lake Mead (Nevada) - Suicide
A park volunteer discovered the body of a 35-year-old woman in a vehicle at
Kingman Wash on the morning of November 13th. The woman had killed herself
with a shotgun. No suicide note was found. [Grace Gerken, Dispatch, LAME]
Wednesday, November 22, 1995
95-746 - Lake Mead (Nevada) - Homicide
On the afternoon of November 20th, hikers in the area of Lake Shore Road came
upon the body of a young man who had been shot in the back and beaten about the
head. The hikers reported their find to Henderson police, who notified the
park. Investigation revealed that the victim died at the scene. [Grace
Gerken, LAME]
Tuesday, January 16, 1996
96-11 - Lake Mead (Nevada/Arizona) - MVA with Fatality
A.S., 25, was driving on Northshore Road around 9 p.m. on January
14th when he lost control of his 1996 Chevrolet Cavalier, which slid 300 feet,
went off the road, overturned in a wash, and slid another 120 feet. A.S.
was killed; his passenger was able to extricate himself from the car and summon
rangers and state police. He was flown to a trauma center in Las Vegas,
treated and released. A joint investigation into the accident is underway.
[Malcolm DeMunbrun, CI, LAME]
Wednesday, March 27, 1996
96-118 - Lake Mead (Nevada) - Homicide Victim Found
While investigating an off-road vehicle, ranger Gord came upon the remains of
a woman. Investigation by the park's criminal investigator and by Las Vegas
homicide detectives revealed that the woman had been murdered and that she
was 37 years old and a resident of Las Vegas. The investigation continues.
[Grace Gerken, Dispatch, LAME]
Friday, May 3, 1996
96-183 - Lake Mead (Nevada/Arizona) - Drug Arrest
On the evening of April 29th, Boulder City police notified the park of a semi
with a possible drunken driver southbound on U.S. 93. Rangers located and
stopped the truck near the Alan Bible visitor center. While attempting to
determine if the driver was driving under the influence (DUI), the rangers
discovered items normally associated with methamphetamine laboratories.
Further investigation led to the discovery of a complete methamphetamine lab
inside the trailer. The driver was arrested for DUI (alcohol and drugs),
possession of drug paraphernalia, and manufacturing drugs. Additional
charges are pending. Assistance was provided at the scene by Nevada highway
patrol and Las Vegas metro drug officers. [CRO, LAME]
Tuesday, May 7, 1996
96-186 - Lake Mead (Arizona/Nevada) - Boat Fire with Injuries
On May 5th, a boat in Las Vegas Bay caught fire and exploded, blowing four
people out of the boat into the water. Park and local personnel responded
and provided medical assistance at the scene. Three people were evacuated by
helicopter and one by an advanced life support (ALS) unit to the trauma and
burn center in Las Vegas, where they were treated for second degree burns.
All are expected to recover. The exact cause of the fire has not yet been
determined. [CRO, LAME]
Tuesday, May 7, 1996
96-188 - Lake Mead (Arizona/Nevada) - Structural Fire
A fire of unknown origin destroyed a 28-foot trailer in the Hemenway
campground on the afternoon of May 4th. The owner, former park volunteer
J.B., noticed smoke coming from under the sink in the trailer's
storage cabinets. When she opened the doors to the area, the fire
immediately spread through the kitchen. J.B. notified a neighboring VIP
who had a radio, and he summoned the Boulder Beach fire company. Also
responding were the Callville Bay company and the wildland engine and crew.
The trailer was a total loss, but a private car and the adjacent park comfort
station suffered no damage. The cause is still under investigation, but
faulty wiring is suspected. [CRO, LAME]
Thursday, June 13, 1996
96-282 - Lake Mead (Arizona/Nevada) - Drowning
E.H., 15, was riding on a personal water craft with another girl in
James Bay when a boat turned sharply to miss another such craft and struck
them. E.H.'s hair became caught in the boat's propeller, trapping her
underwater. She was finally cut free and CPR was begun, but without effect.
[CRO, LAME]
Thursday, June 20, 1996
96-296 - Lake Mead (Arizona/Nevada) - Drowning
On the afternoon of June 16th, G.R., 25, of North Las Vegas, was
floating on an inflatable raft at North Boulder Beach when observers saw him
fall off and disappear. His body was recovered later in the afternoon. The
circumstances leading to his death are not yet known. He was not wearing a
life jacket. [CRO, LAME]
Wednesday, June 26, 1996
96-312 - Lake Mead (Nevada/Arizona) - EMS Incident; Life Saved
Just before noon on June 25th, the park received a report that a drowning
victim was being taken by sailboat to the launch ramp at Katherine's Landing.
Rangers Brian Cooperider and Joanne Gillette and district ranger Ralph
Patterson responded. CPR was begun, and a weak pulse was detected. The
victim, J.G., was taken to a hospital, and appears to have
totally recovered from the incident. J.G. had been swimming between two
boats and went under. Friends who were with her said that she was underwater
for just a few minutes. [Grace Gerken, Dispatch Supervisor, LAME]
Friday, June 28, 1996
96-323 - Lake Mead (Nevada/Arizona) - Stabbing; Possible Gang Fight
Two groups were involved in a fight at Upper Gypson Wash beach around 9 p.m.
on the evening of June 25th. During the fight, one person was stabbed and is
now in serious condition at a hospital in Las Vegas. The first group was
comprised of one juvenile and four adult males and was on the beach; the
second group, consisting of eight males and four females, was nearby, its
members "sniffing paint." When the first group attempted to leave the beach,
the second group followed. A fight ensued. Members of the first group were
hit with bottles, and one member was struck on the head with a two by four
board. A member of that group then took out a knife and started slashing at
members of the second group. The five people in the first group eventually
escaped and drove to a convenience store in Henderson. The person who
committed the stabbing turned himself in to a Henderson officer who happened
to be at the store. Park rangers and criminal investigators and
investigators from Las Vegas and Henderson are investigating. The person hit
by the two by four was treated and released. [Paul Ducasse, SA, PGBSSO]
Thursday, August 15, 1996
96-465 - Lake Mead (Nevada/Arizona) - Methamphetamine Laboratory
Housekeepers at the Lake Mead Lodge at Boulder Beach discovered what they
thought was a vandalized room on August 9th. Rangers and a criminal
investigator were summoned, and they determined that the room had been used
as a methamphetamine lab. Las Vegas narcotics investigators also responded.
A suspect has been identified and the investigation is continuing. The
decontamination and rehabilitation of the room will cost over $5,000.
[Malcom DeMunbrun, CI, LAME]
Thursday, August 15, 1996
96-466 - Lake Mead (Nevada/Arizona) - Drowning
A 45-year-old Las Vegas man was scuba diving alone near Boulder Beach last
weekend when he indicated that he needed help. A companion on their nearby
boat swam to him and attempted to pull the diver back to the boat, but was
unable to keep him afloat. Rangers and park divers responded, but efforts to
locate him proved fruitless. The water is 240 feet deep in that area. Other
methods of recovery are being pursued. [Malcom DeMunbrun, CI, LAME]
Thursday, August 15, 1996
96-467 - Lake Mead (Nevada/Arizona) - Boat Accident; Drowning
A 38-year-old California resident drowned as a result of an accident near
Katherine's Landing on the evening of August 10th. The man's boat capsized
in the accident and he disappeared. Divers looked for him that night and the
next morning and eventually recovered his body. [Grace Gerken, Dispatch
Supervisor, LAME]
Thursday, August 15, 1996
96-468 - Lake Mead (Nevada/Arizona) - Drowning
Park dispatch received a call of a man down in the water just off of Center
Beach in the Boulder Beach area late on the afternoon of August 11th. A 40-
year-old Las Vegas man had seen his son struggling with a tube during a
period of high offshore winds and swam out to help him. The man quickly
became tired; although two other swimmers attempted to help him, they were
unable to reach him due to the high wind condition. Divers responded quickly
and recovered the body in 12 feet of water. [Grace Gerken, Dispatch
Supervisor, LAME]
Thursday, August 15, 1996
96-469 - Lake Mead (Nevada/Arizona) - Drowning
A 17-year-old boy from Henderson was cliff diving in the Cliffs area on the
morning of August 13th when he went under and failed to resurface. His
friends summoned help. The body was recovered several hours later. [Grace
Gerken, Dispatch Supervisor, LAME]
Wednesday, September 25, 1996
96-556 - Lake Mead (Nevada/Arizona) - MVA with Fatality
A 55-year old woman was driving her vehicle at a high rate of speed on North
Shore Drive shortly after midnight on September 24th when she lost control of
the vehicle and ran off the road. The vehicle rolled over, ejecting her onto
the pavement. The driver was pronounced dead at the scene. Speed and
possible driver fatigue are thought to be contributing factors. [Mike
O'Neal, PGSO]
Friday, September 27, 1996
96-563 - Lake Mead (Nevada/Arizona) - Methamphetamine Laboratory
Rangers investigating a report of possible vandalism to a navigational aid on
Lake Mead ended up discovering a methamphetamine lab on the afternoon of
September 24th. A visitor had called the park and reported that someone on
board a personal watercraft had vandalized one of the navigational aids on
Middle Point Island in the upper portion of the Virgin Basin. Rangers Bill
Collup and Matt Bates were given a description of the watercraft and its
direction of travel, and soon located the watercraft near a houseboat that
was underway. They contacted the operator and boarded the houseboat to
investigate the reported vandalism. While on board, Collup and Bates
observed chemicals, laboratory equipment, scales and other narcotics
paraphernalia. The eight individuals on board were placed in custody and
assistance was summoned. DEA agents soon arrived on scene and confirmed that
the chemicals were all precursors for the production of methamphetamines. A
DEA contract environmental cleanup crew from Los Angeles was called in to
remove the chemicals and related equipment and to decontaminate the
houseboat. A hand gun and a shotgun were also found and seized. DEA agents
interviewed and released the eight suspects, all from Barstow. A joint
investigation by the DEA and NPS is underway, and the case will be presented
to the U.S. attorney for prosecution. DEA agents estimate that the chemicals
seized could produce about ten pounds of methamphetamines with a street value
of $300,000. [Bud Inman, CR, LAME]
Tuesday, October 15, 1996
96-598 - Lake Mead NRA (NV/AZ) - Assault on Rangers
On the afternoon of Saturday, October 5th, rangers Thane Weigand and Dave
Chapman (Grand Canyon) received a report that a park volunteer at Pearce's
Ferry at Meadview had asked a visitor to restrain his off-leash dogs and that
the man - later identified as D.W., 47 - had responded with
profanity. When the rangers arrived on scene, they again asked D.W. to
comply, but he refused to cooperate, stating that only U.S. marshals had the
authority to enforce laws. Weigand drew his pepper spray and Chapman his
collapsible baton, but D.W. tackled Weigand before either spray or baton
could be utilized. As the rangers struggled with D.W., he called his adult
pit bull and told him to kill the rangers. The dog bit both rangers before
D.W. was subdued and convinced to order the dog off. The rangers did not
shoot the animal during the confrontation because of the danger of hitting
each other and the possibility of the bullet missing. D.W. was arrested
and charged on state charges of assaulting an officer. The dogs are in the
county pound. Chapman suffered puncture wounds on one toe and a heel and
required three stitches; Weigand was bitten on an ankle but required no
stitches. [Paul Berkowitz, GRCA]
Tuesday, October 22, 1996
96-611 - Lake Mead NRA (Nevada/Arizona) - Illegal Commercial Operation
Earlier this year, park staff contacted a Las Vegas company called "Extreme
Marine" regarding possible illegal commercial operations on Lake Powell. On
the first weekend in October, rangers Dave Chapman (Grand Canyon) and Thane
Weigand assisted the Grand Canyon concessions office in again contacting the
company, which was running an illegal tour up the Lower Gorge from Pearce
Ferry. The contact resulted in citations and the seizure of a 1996 Dodge
pickup with a V-10 engine, a trailer with five jet skis, and a second trailer
with one jet ski. [Paul Berkowitz, SA, GRCA]
Wednesday, October 23, 1996
96-625 - Lake Mead NRA (Arizona/Nevada) - Drowning
On the afternoon of October 12th, G.K., 47, drowned while attempting
to swim after a boat which had drifted away from shore in Kingman Wash Cove
near Hoover Dam. G.K. began experiencing problems about 40 feet from
shore, called for help, then went under. He was pulled ashore, and CPR was
attempted by rangers, state officers and visitors. G.K. died the following
day without regaining consciousness. Neither drugs nor alcohol were
contributing factors. This is the eighteenth accidental fatality at the park
this year. [Bob Belden, LAME]
Thursday, October 31, 1996
96-648 - Lake Mead NRA (Arizona/Nevada) - MVA with Two Fatalities
A head-on collision occurred on U.S. 93 just south of the visitor center on
Saturday, October 26th. Two people were killed and two more are in critical
condition in a hospital in Las Vegas. Alcohol may have been a contributing
factor. Park, city and state fire and police units and a helicopter were
involved in the incident. The highway was closed for about five hours.
[Malcolm DeMunbrun, CI, LAME]
Tuesday, November 12, 1996
96-660 - Lake Mead NRA (Arizona/Nevada) - Remains Found
Two park visitors who were hiking in the desert near Boulder Beach found
human skeletal remains about 150 yards from Lakeshore Road. Park
investigators and Las Vegas homicide detectives conducted a search of the
area to recover the remains and fragments of clothing. The remains have been
identified as those of a female in her late teens by a local university
anthropologist who works with the city's medical examiner. The case remains
under investigation. [Malcolm DeMunbrun, CI, LAME]
Wednesday, November 13, 1996
96-662 - Lake Mead NRA (Nevada/Arizona) - Body Found
A canoeist on Lake Mohave found the body of a fully-clothed man floating face
down in the water at Fortune Cove a quarter mile above the Eldorado Canyon
overlook on the afternoon of November 11th. The park was advised via a
cellular phone call. Investigation revealed that he'd suffered a shotgun
blast to his chest. The body has been turned over to the county coroner for
a determination of the cause of death. A joint park-Las Vegas PD
investigation is underway. [Karen Whitney, LAME]
Wednesday, November 13, 1996
96-663 - Lake Mead NRA (Nevada/Arizona) - Falling Fatality
While rangers were responding to the report of the body found in Lake Mohave
on the afternoon of November 11th (above), a call was received in dispatch
reporting an accident in White Rock Canyon on the east side of Lake Mohave
about three miles down from Hoover Dam. Rangers found that L.W., 16,
of Las Vegas, had died from a 130-foot fall which occurred while returning
from a hike with his twin brother and his father. Park SAR personnel carried
the victim down to the lake, where he was transported by boat to Willow
Beach. [Karen Whitney, LAME]
Thursday, November 14, 1996
96-667 - Lake Mead NRA (Arizona/Nevada) - Boat Accident; Multiple Injuries
A grand jury is currently hearing testimony on an eight-count indictment
against a man charged with causing serious injury to four people in a high-
speed boating accident which occurred on Lake Mohave last summer. On July
27th, D.A. was in the process of making a high speed turn with his
21-foot inboard when the boat struck the shoreline in York Cove, became
airborne, and traveled 31 feet before landing. All five occupants were
ejected onto the rocky shoreline, and the boat finally came to rest at a
point 73 feet from where it had left the water (preliminary estimates
indicate that a minimum speed of about 38 miles per hour would be required to
cover such a distance). Rangers Fangen-Gritis, Mladucky and Cooperider
responded by boat to the area, which is about three miles north of Katherine
Landing. Three of the occupants suffered serious head injuries and fractures
of their extremities and a fourth had multiple fractures and lacerations.
D.A. suffered only from lacerations to his feet. Two were soon released,
but the remaining pair were held in the hospital, where they are still
undergoing treatment for their injuries. Fangen-Gritis arrested D.A. for
operating a vessel while under the influence of alcohol. D.A.'s blood
alcohol level two hours after the accident was just under .15. The county
attorney initially sought four counts of attempted murder against D.A., but
reduced that to eight counts of felony aggravated assault. The charges were
warranted by the passengers' pleas to D.A. to slow the boat down, which he
ignored. After the accident, witnesses saw D.A. running barefoot across the
rocks to nearby bushes, where the remains of two cases of beer were
subsequently found. Evidence indicated that the beer belonged to D.A..
[CRO, LAME]
Monday, November 18, 1996
96-662 - Lake Mead NRA (Nevada/Arizona) - Follow-up on Body Discovery
The county medical examiner has determined that the man who was found
floating face down in the water at Fortune Cove on the afternoon of November
11th died of self-inflicted gunshot wounds. City and park investigators
located the man's relatives in the San Diego area and determined that the
victim had notified them on November 9th that he had a terminal illness and
planned to take his own life. [Malcom DeMunbrun, CI, LAME]
Monday, November 25, 1996
96-662 - Lake Mead NRA (Nevada/Arizona) - Human Remains Found
On November 23rd, three hikers walking in the upper Gypsum Wash area
discovered skeletal remains. Park and Las Vegas investigators responded.
Indications are that the remains had been in the area for three to six
months. The case is being investigated as a homicide, and is not associated
with the incident in which human remains were found near Lakeshore Drive
earlier this month. [Malcolm DeMunbrun, CI, LAME]
Monday, January 6, 1997
96-715 - Lake Mead NRA (Nevada/Arizona) - Drowning
Lake Mead marina security was asked to check on a missing and overdue person
on December 29th. D.C., 52, of Las Vegas, told his wife that he was
going out on the lake for the night and had not returned home. Security
checked the boat, which was slipped at the marina, and found it open with the
radio on and the keys to the dock gate next to the boat. The park was
notified the next day. The dive team located D.C.'s body in 28 feet of
water near the slip. There was no evidence of foul play. Alcohol is
believed to have been a factor. [Grace Gerken, Dispatch Supervisor, LAME]
Wednesday, January 8, 1997
96-466 - Lake Mead (Nevada/Arizona) - Follow-up on Drowning
L.D., 45, of Las Vegas, drowned while SCUBA diving alone near Boulder
Beach on August 10th last year. The depth of the water at that location
ranges from 210 to 240 feet and visibility is extremely poor. Repeated
efforts by park divers to find him were unsuccessful. In September, L.D.'s
wife hired C.R. Cleland's Marine Salvage Search and Rescue to conduct
additional searches. Company divers searched on 15 days over several months
during the fall and early winter. During their last scheduled dive on
December 31st, they found L.D.'s body at a depth of 200 feet with a
remotely operated underwater vehicle. The divers recovered the body, which
was turned over to the county coroner's office. [Bud Inman, LAME]
Thursday, January 9, 1997
96-721 - Lake Mead NRA (Arizona/Nevada) - Burglary Arrest
On November 16th, ranger Ray Klein received a report of a burglary from a
cabin at Temple Bar. The cabin had been entered through the rear door, and
items valued at over $6,000 - including power tools and various firearms -
had been taken. The victim told Klein that he suspected an associate,
C.G., and Klein passed the information on to investigator Ernest
Soper. On December 3rd, Soper interviewed C.G., who admitted to taking the
items and selling them to pawn shops and individuals in Nevada. C.G. signed
a consent form authorizing a search of his house and agreed to questioning
without an attorney present. Soper employed the pawn tickets to recover all
of the stolen items. C.G. was arrested on a charge of burglary in the first
degree on December 20th. Soper also found that C.G. was on five years'
probation in California on a stolen property charge, and that he'd violated
his probation. Additional charges are pending. [Grace Gerken, Dispatch
Supervisor, LAME]
Tuesday, May 27, 1997
97-214 - Lake Mead NRA (NV/AZ) - Probable Drowning
On May 22nd, a ranger at Katherine's Landing on Lake Mohave received a report
of a missing person. The man's name was taken and entered into NCIC. On May
23rd, it was determined that a 49-year-old man from Bullhead City, Arizona,
had fallen off a boat at Davis Cove and had failed to resurface. Body
recovery efforts are currently underway. Alcohol appears to have been a
contributing factor. [Grace Gerken, Telecommunications Supervisor, LAME,
5/24]
Monday, June 2, 1997
97-233 - Lake Mead NRA (NV/AZ) - Falling Fatality
R.H., six, of California, died of a head injury incurred in a fall
near Dewey's Beach near Katherine Landing on the afternoon of May 31st. The
girl was playing with her brother and sister when the cliff face, eroded by
wind and high water levels, collapsed on her. CPR was begun and she was
taken to a hospital in Bullhead City, where she died from the injuries she'd
sustained. [Grace Gerken, Dispatch Supervisor, LAME, 6/1]
Monday, June 2, 1997
97-234 - Lake Mead NRA (NV/AZ) - Drowning
On the afternoon of June 1st, rangers were notified of a possible drowning at
South Telephone Cove near Katherine's Landing. A 26-year-old male from
Bullhead City had been hiking and decided to swim from shore to an island
about 50 feet out into the lake. He started struggling, yelled for help,
then disappeared under the water. A friend swam out to help him, but had to
let go of the victim. Bystanders helped recover the victim and began CPR.
When rangers arrived, CPR had already been terminated. The victim was fully
clothed when recovered. This was the twelfth fatality to occur in the park
so far this year. [Grace Gerken, Dispatch Supervisor, LAME, 6/1]
Friday, June 6, 1997
97-249 - Lake Mead NRA (NV/AZ) - Suicide Averted; Attempted Murder Arrest
A park maintenance worker came upon a four-door sedan on a gravel road at
Boulder Beach on June 4th. A hose was running from the exhaust into the
passenger compartment. Dispatch was advised, and rangers responded to the
scene. They found V.V., 31, and her 12-year-old son suffering
from apparent carbon monoxide poisoning. A medical helicopter transported
them to the University Medical Center in Las Vegas. A three-page letter was
found in the vehicle in which the mother indicated that she planned to kill
her son and take her own life. She had given him drugs to put him to sleep,
but he apparently got a window open and was able to get out of the car.
Following an investigation by the park's criminal investigator and Las Vegas
detectives and an interview with the boy in the hospital, V.V. was
arrested and charged with attempted murder and felony child abuse. [Bud
Inman, LAME, 6/5]
Tuesday, June 24, 1997
97-285 - Lake Mead NRA (NV/AZ) - Homicide
On the morning of June 21st, park dispatch received a cell phone call
reporting a body floating near the shore of Saddle Island. Rangers responded
and recovered the body of a 35-year-old man from Irvine, California.
Investigation revealed a bullet wound to the head. The Las Vegas homicide
unit is investigating. This is the thirteenth fatality of the year at Lake
Mead. [Grace Gerken, Telecommunications Supervisor, LAME, 6/21]
Friday, July 25, 1997
97-378 - Lake Mead NRA (NV/AZ) - Drowning
Park dispatch received a report of a personal water craft (PWC) floating in
the lake without an operator around noon on July 2nd. A search was begun,
and the victim, a 37-year-old male, was soon found floating in the water. He
was wearing a life jacket. Two visiting paramedics began CPR until a
critical care unit from Las Vegas could arrive on scene. He was taken to a
hospital in Boulder, where he was pronounced dead from drowning. This was
the park's 14th fatality of the year. [Dispatch, LAME, 7/3]
Friday, July 25, 1997
97-381 - Lake Mead NRA (NV/AZ) - Drowning
On the evening of July 20th, a man and his three-year-old son and sister-in-
law were picnicking on a small island near Government Wash. A storm with
high winds came up. As they attempted to wade across the inlet to the shore,
the father lost his footing and went under with his son. His sister-in-law
went back to help, but also went under. Bystanders pulled all three from the
water and started CPR on the father, who did not survive. The sister-in-law
and child were taken to a hospital in Henderson for observation. This was
the park's 15th fatality of the year. [Terri Greene, Lead Dispatcher, LAME,
7/21]
Friday, July 25, 1997
97-384 - Lake Mead NRA (NV/AZ) - Suicide
Ranger VanNest was on patrol early on the afternoon of July 6th when he came
upon a vehicle off-road with tubing extending from the tailpipe into the
right rear window. The suicide victim was a 43-year-old male from Las Vegas.
He was pronounced dead at the scene. This was the park's 16th fatality of
the year. [Dispatch, LAME, 7/6]
Thursday, August 7, 1997
97-438 - Lake Mead NRA (NV/AZ) - Armed Robbery and Burglary Arrests
On August 4th, rangers at Katherine Landing responded to a report of shots
fired and a burglary in progress. When ranger Todd Austin arrived, the
suspects had already left the area. Austin subsequently located the get-away
vehicle, which had been stolen in Kingman, Arizona. The vehicle and
occupants were also wanted in connection with several burglaries in the
Kingman area, including theft of beer and cigarettes from a convenience
store. Austin followed a trail left by the subjects toward a cabin area.
While following the trail, he received a report of a burglary in progress at
cabin #37. Austin and ranger Lopez arrested J.L. and two juveniles.
Felony charges were filed on all three for armed robbery, burglary, theft,
and theft while armed. A 12 gauge shotgun was recovered at the scene.
[Maria Mackie, Dispatch, LAME, 8/6]
Wednesday, December 3, 1997
97-724 - Lake Mead NRA (NV/AZ) - Death of Employee
Criminal investigator Malcolm DeMunbrun, 56, died of complications
associated with a long illness on Sunday, November 30th. Malcolm was a
second generation NPS employee; both his father and uncle worked at
Mammoth Cave NP when Malcolm joined the service as a park technician at
Everglades NP in 1970. He worked there in the Flamingo District for
three years, then transferred to Blue Ridge Parkway. Malcolm was
accepted as part of the park ranger intake trainee class in 1976 and
moved to Lake Mead the next year. Over the years, Malcolm made many
friends for the NPS through his dedication, professionalism, and kind
and caring demeanor. He received numerous outstanding performance and
special achievement awards throughout his career. Malcolm is survived by
his daughter, L., his grand-daughter, A., and his former wife, S.C., all
of Boulder City, and by his mother and sister, both of Port Angeles,
Washington. Condolences may be sent to his family. The family asks
that donations in lieu of flowers be made to the FOP Ranger Assistance
Fund, PO Box 151, Fancy Gap, Virginia 24328. A memorial service will
be held at 5 p.m. tomorrow at Palm Mortuary at 800 South Boulder Highway
in Henderson. [Karen Whitney, LAME, 12/2]
Wednesday, March 25, 1998
98-113 - Lake Mead NRA (NV/AZ) - Boating Accident; Four Fatalities, Injuries
Park dispatch received a report of a disturbance at the Lake Mead Marina
restaurant and lounge late on the afternoon of Sunday, March 22nd. A dispute
had occurred over the payment of a bar bill and had continued outside the
lounge. The parties eventually decided to leave and boarded their two
"cigarette boats" (high-performance, high-speed inboards). One of the boats,
a 47-foot Fountain, struck another vessel at the marina. Rangers and state
game wardens stopped both vessels. The operator of the Fountain was arrested
by the state officers for operating under the influence. A sober driver was
located for that vessel, and it was allowed to proceed. Just before 10 a.m.
the following morning, Las Vegas police received a 911 call reporting a major
boating accident with fatalities in the park. The information was relayed to
the park's communications center, but police dispatchers were unable to
gather any more information before the call was lost. The caller called
again, but communications were again lost. About 20 minutes later, the park
received a marine band radio report of a boating accident with three
fatalities in the upper Boulder Basin east of Burro Point. Rangers arrived
at the accident scene shortly thereafter. They found that the Fountain had
run aground around midnight, and that there had been four fatalities and
three injuries. Deceased were C.Y., 44, M.K., 26, E.C.,
27, and P.E., 47; injured were boat owner M.Y., 44,
R.R., 24, and R.S., 27. The three survivors were
transported to the trauma center at the University Medical Center in Las
Vegas. [Paul Crawford, Shift Supervisor, Boulder Basin District, LAME, 3/24]
Wednesday, March 25, 1998
98-114 - Lake Mead NRA (NV/AZ) - Multiple Incidents
On the afternoon of Sunday, March 22nd, Boulder Basin District rangers
responded to a two-vehicle motor vehicle accident with injuries at the
intersection of Northshore and Lakeshore Drives. Two people with serious
injuries and two with moderate injuries were treated by rangers and taken to
the trauma center at the University Medical Center in Las Vegas. At about
the same time, Northshore District rangers responded to a medical at
Callville Bay, a single-vehicle rollover accident near Overton Beach, and the
report of two drunken drivers leaving the same beach. As Boulder Basin
rangers cleared from the first accident, they were dispatched to another
motor vehicle accident with injuries, this time on Lake Mead Boulevard. The
report indicated that several victims were lying on the road, but was
ambiguous regarding the location. The accident was found to be outside the
park, but rangers provided traffic control, as the boulevard was closed for
several hours. Around 4:30 p.m., rangers responded to the disturbance noted
above (98-113) at the Lake Mead Marina restaurant and lounge. Then, at 6
p.m., rangers and park fire and rescue units were summoned to a vehicle fire
on Lake Mead boulevard. The vehicle was fully involved when they arrived.
The fire was extinguished. During the incident, a driver attempted to pass a
ranger directing traffic and was arrested for driving under the influence.
[Paul Crawford, Shift Supervisor, Boulder Basin District, LAME, 3/24]
Wednesday, April 22, 1998
98-150 - Lake Mead NRA (NV/AZ) - Attempted Murder, Sexual Assault
Ranger Randy Neal was dispatched to St. Rose Dominican Hospital in Henderson
at 1:20 a.m. on April 11th to investigate a reported stabbing. T.R.,
19, told Neal that she was with a group of friends at Gypsum Wash
when an unknown male came to their campsite looking for his girlfriend. The
man put a knife to T.R.'s throat and cut her when the group refused to
help him find his girlfriend. The cut missed her carotid artery by only half
a millimeter. At the same time, Neal received a report from a juvenile
female's mother indicating that her daughter was missing in the park. The
daughter's boyfriend, R.P., 20, had called the mother, told her
that he and her daughter had gotten into an argument, and said that she was
still at Lake Mead. He also told her not to call the police, as someone had
been stabbed. The mother used the return call feature on her phone to get
the number of the phone that R.P. had used to call her. Criminal
investigator Mike Blandford arrived to assist Neal, and both went to the
mother's residence. Assistance was requested and provided by Henderson
police, and the telephone number was traced to an address. While this was
going on, other Henderson officers reported that they had just had a foot
pursuit in that same area that began from a traffic stop. The man they had
taken into custody was Robert R.P. R.P. was subsequently
identified by witnesses and the victim as the suspect in the stabbing.
Ranger Mike Sabatini went to the crime scene at Gypsum Wash; when he arrived,
he was stopped by people in a vehicle who said they had a sexual assault
victim with them. The victim was R.P.'s juvenile girlfriend. She
claimed that she had been sexually assaulted by two men after she had walked
away from R.P., said that the suspects were still in the area, and added
that there was only one vehicle left at the end of the road. It emerged from
the area a few minutes later and was stopped by Sabatini. There were two men
and three women in the vehicle. Although none was involved in the sexual
assault, the vehicle came up on NCIC as a stolen vehicle out of Las Vegas.
All five were arrested. R.P. was transferred to federal custody and
booked on attempted murder charges. T.R. is in recovery and doing well.
[Paul Crawford, SPR, Boulder Basin District, LAME, 4/20]
Wednesday, April 22, 1998
98-152 - Lake Mead NRA (NV/AZ) - Structural Fire
Rangers noticed smoke rising from the Lakeshore Trailer Village around 5 p.m.
on April 17th. When ranger Ryan Regnell arrived two minutes later, he found
a 50-foot, single-wide residential trailer in flames, but was able to quickly
locate the occupants and assure that they were safe. Park fire crews
arrived, quickly knocked down the fire, contained it to the original
structure and to a storage shed on the adjacent site, and cooled down two
other trailers. Suppression efforts were hampered by insufficient water due
to the lack of fire hydrants in the area. The Boulder City Fire Department
was called in for water support along with the park's 3,000 gallon tender.
The structure and its contents were a total loss; the estimated value has
been placed at $150,000. The fire was accidental and evidently started by a
child lighting a candle. [Paul Crawford, SPR, Boulder Basin District, LAME,
4/20]
Monday, May 4, 1998
98-177 - Lake Mead NRA (NV/AZ) - MVA; Near Collision with Ranger
Ranger Tom McDermott was on patrol on Northshore Road on the evening of April
23rd when he saw a black Thunderbird heading toward him at a high rate of
speed (estimated at 80 mph in a 50 mph zone). The Thunderbird was straddling
the center line, forcing McDermott to take evasive action to prevent a head-
on collision. The driver lost control of his vehicle after passing McDermott
and the Thunderbird slid sideways off the highway and overturned. Both
occupants suffered serious injuries and were flown by helicopter to the
University Medical Center in Las Vegas. Blood was drawn from the male
juvenile driver, who admitted to consuming several beers. He was arrested
for felony reckless driving after being released from the hospital and was
booked into the county juvenile detention facility. [Susan Warner, LAME,
5/1]
Thursday, May 7, 1998
98-188 - Lake Mead NRA (NV/AZ) - Boating Accident; Two Fatalities
M.M., 51, and W.S., 37, launched their 14-foot sailboat
from Kingman Wash on April 23rd. A lake wind advisory was in effect at the
time which called for high winds with gusts up to 50 mph and three to five-
foot waves. They failed to return home, so a search was begun the following
morning. Ranger/pilot Bruce Lenon spotted their capsized boat in Boulder
Basin, but saw nobody nearby. Off-duty Las Vegas police officers who were on
the lake in their own boat came upon a life jacket floating in the water in
Upper Boulder Basin; they investigated and found M.M.'s body. Ranger Bob
Carnes found W.S.'s body along the Arizona shoreline near Indian Canyon Cove
a short time later. The bodies have been conveyed to the respective county
coroners. [Paul G. Crawford, SPR, Boulder Basin District, LAME, 5/6]
Monday, May 11, 1998
98-194 - Lake Mead NRA (NV/AZ) - Fugitive Arrest
Las Vegas city detectives and ranger Paul Crawford apprehended fugitive
R.G., 51, on the afternoon of April 28th. R.G., who was wanted by
police in Saginaw, Texas, for a murder committed ten years ago, fled into the
park in late February after being visited by IRS agents on an unrelated
matter. He set up camp in Lower Gypsum Wash and over time associated with
campers and fishermen in Upper Gypsum and Government Washes. Las Vegas Metro
police received information that R.G. had been seen in the park after his
picture was shown on local television. Other information indicated that he
intended to murder someone with an RV and assume his identity. R.G. was
spotted walking along the shoreline by an observer in a Metro helicopter and
taken into custody without incident. The arrest was good news for Saginaw
police, as they wanted to close the case prior to the imminent retirement of
the department's chief. The chief will now be able to retire with no
unsolved cases in the department. [Paul Crawford, SPR, Boulder Basin
District, LAME, 5/6]
Wednesday, June 3, 1998
98-250 - Lake Mead NRA (AZ/NV) - Multiple Arrests; Suicide
On the afternoon of May 30th, ranger Michael Sabitini, who was assigned to
plain clothes narcotics operations, saw four men engaged in suspicious
activity - what appeared to be use of controlled substances - in a parked
vehicle at Boulder Beach. All four then got out of their vehicle and looked
under the car's hood. The adult member of the group (the others were
juveniles), subsequently identified as R.C., approached Sabitini and
asked if he had jumper cables. Sabatini joined the group in an unsuccessful
effort to start the vehicle; while doing so, he noted possible tampering to
the ignition, got the car's license plate number, and later contacted
dispatch. The vehicle came back as stolen, and the information was relayed
to patrol rangers. When a marked vehicle appeared on scene, the three
juveniles left the area on foot and R.C. asked Sabatini to take him to a
telephone. R.C. climbed into the bed of Sabatini's truck and they started
to leave the crowded beach area. When a marked unit driven by seasonal
ranger Brian Cooperider approached, Sabitini waved him down. R.C. was
placed in the rear of the caged patrol vehicle, still under the pretense that
he was being taken to a phone, in order to get him out of the beach area
before making an arrest. Rangers Tom Valenta, Randy Neal and Tim Simonds
also responded and arrested the three juveniles, who were walking along the
road. Cooperider stopped and parked at the location where the juveniles were
being cuffed and stepped out of his vehicle to assist. Simonds then saw
R.C., still in the rear seat of the cruiser, place a 9mm handgun to his
head. Neal took cover behind the open vehicle door and tried to talk to
R.C.. R.C. fired one round from the gun, which passed through his head and
the vehicle's left rear window, then a second round. Rangers and volunteer
EMTs provided emergency medical treatment while awaiting a Flight for Life
helicopter. R.C. was flown to a Las Vegas hospital, where he was pronounced
dead. Investigation revealed that R.C. had an extensive arrest record, and
that there were active warrants against him for statutory sexual seduction
and possession of a stolen vehicle. [Bud Inman, LAME, 6/2]
Thursday, June 4, 1998
98-260 - Lake Mead NRA (NV/AZ) - Drowning
Park dispatch received a report that a child had disappeared underwater at
Government Wash on the evening of June 1st. The seven-year-old boy, a non-
swimmer, had been in the water with family members and had reportedly been
under for five minutes. Rangers, a park ambulance, and a Flight for Life
helicopter responded. Rangers Ryan Regnell and Paul Crawford, both divers,
arrived within minutes, geared up, and entered the lake. Regnell found and
recovered the boy in 15 feet of water about 35 feet from shore within two
minutes. Crawford and the volunteers aboard the ambulance led the
resuscitation effort and transferred patient care to the two flight nurses on
board the helicopter. The boy was taken to a hospital in Las Vegas, where he
was pronounced dead shortly thereafter. [Paul Crawford, LAME, 6/2]
Friday, June 5, 1998
98-244 - Lake Mead NRA (AZ/NV) - Memorial Day Weekend
The park had a number of significant incidents over the holiday weekend in
addition to those already reported. On Saturday, May 23rd, rangers at
Katherine Landing responded to a report of a riot in progress on the beach at
North Telephone Cove. As they approached the area, between 20 and 30 of the
people involved in the fracas dispersed and attempted to flea. Bystanders
reported seeing one of them with a gun, and that others used rocks, bottles,
full beer cans and tent poles to inflict injuries on each other. The rangers
took control and arrested four people. The crowd of several hundred people
cheered as the four were handcuffed. The rangers also provided initial
medical treatment, with follow-up care administered at a local hospital.
Investigation revealed that the dispute that led to the riot was caused by
waterguns used by four-year-olds and 20-year-olds of differing ethnic
origins. Katherine rangers were summoned to another disturbance at Telephone
Cove the following day. A large fight involving 15 to 20 people had broken
out between two ethnic groups. The fight stemmed from an inappropriate
comment made by a male from one group to a female in the other group. Three
people were arrested, and EMS was again provided. Alcohol played a
significant role in both of these events. There were also four helicopter
medivacs and numerous other significant EMS incidents in the district over
the weekend. [Jan Kirwan, Mohave District, LAME, 6/4]
Thursday, June 18, 1998
98-301 - Lake Mead NRA (AZ/NV) - Assist; Major Structural Fire
Boulder Basin District fire crews were dispatched to a fire at the Gold
Strike Inn and Casino at 1:38 a.m. on June 16th. The Gold Strike is located
on a mining claim that is surrounded by park land; fire protection is
provided by the Clark County fire department, with city of Boulder and the
park providing first response units. Ranger Randy Neal was first on scene
and reported significant fire and dense smoke around the main entrance, with
the facade fully engulfed in flame. The park's fire crew joined in the
initial attack and also performed a primary search of the casino and three-story,
low-rise hotel. Additional units arrived about 40 minutes later.
Clark County took over command and park crews were assigned to the division
protecting one side of the structure, including the hotel. Supervisory
ranger Paul Crawford was assigned to command the division. Park crews,
augmented by firefighters from other districts, advanced a four-inch
large-diameter hose, air bottles and tools to the third floor of the low rise.
A park engine pumped these lines and also supplied water to a supply line to a
tower ladder for roof operations. FMO and fire chief Bob Trodahl led the
interior operations in the low rise. Crews stopped fire from spreading into
the attic spaces in rooms that were closest to the fire. Wildland fire crews
were summoned to check on reports of vegetation fires in the park. A total
of four alarms were struck for this fire. The entire casino and restaurant
area was a total loss; the hotel tower and one low-rise structure received
some damage. The damage has been placed at between $25 and $50 million. The
fire apparently started in roofing construction material. Park crews were
released at 9 a.m. A total of 30 NPS personnel worked the incident. The
incident commander was impressed with the work performed by the NPS and
individual firefighters. [Paul Crawford, SPR, Boulder Basin District, LAME,
6/17]
Tuesday, June 23, 1998 - SUPPLEMENTAL
98-310 - Lake Mead NRA (AZ/NV) - Assault on Rangers
Around 11:30 p.m. on June 13th, Katherine Landing rangers received a report
of a man wielding a machete and threatening to kill people in the North
Telephone Cove campground. They responded and found that the man, identified
as J.L.S. of Tucson, Arizona, had fled the campground into the
desert. Witnesses said that J.L.S. had been drinking all day and had
attempted to purchase drugs a short time earlier. The rangers conducted a
hasty search of the desert just to the north of J.L.S.'s truck and campsite.
They found him huddled behind a bush about 40 feet into the desert, still
holding the machete. When illuminated by flashlights, J.L.S. stood. The
rangers ordered him to drop the machete, but he instead advanced on them.
They again ordered him to drop the machete, telling him that he would
otherwise be shot. The rangers were unable to get a clear shot at him,
though, due to the proximity of nearby campsites. At one point, J.L.S.
returned to his truck, where rangers sprayed him with OC-10 pepper spray.
This apparently had no effect on him except to make him more agitated. He
placed the lanyard of the machete around his wrist and took an obvious
fighting grip on the machete. J.L.S. repeatedly told the rangers that he
would kill them, and that the only way the incident would end would be with
the death of either a ranger or himself. Using themselves as bait, rangers
maneuvered J.L.S. away from the campsites, positioning themselves between
J.L.S. and the campers and clearing the line of fire. J.L.S. continued his
threats to kill the rangers. District ranger Ralph Patterson arrived on
scene and realized that the rangers had exhausted all options and were about
to shoot J.L.S.. He maneuvered his patrol car around behind the other rangers
and advanced on J.L.S., knocking him to the ground. J.L.S. got up. Patterson
continued to herd him away from the campsites, striking him two more times.
After each strike, J.L.S. regained his footing and struck and damaged the
patrol car with roundhouse swings with the machete. J.L.S. stumbled back into
an outhouse after the third strike and completely lost his footing. When
ordered again to drop the machete, J.L.S. complied and was handcuffed. J.L.S.
has been indicted by a grand jury on seven felony counts - four counts of
aggravated assault on peace officers, two counts of aggravated assault, and
one count of disorderly conduct with a weapon. [Jan Kirwan and Bud Inman,
LAME, 6/22]
Thursday, July 2, 1998
98-336 - Lake Mead NRA (AZ/NV) - DUI Operation
A DUI checkpoint was set up on Northshore Drive near Echo Bay for most of the
afternoon of Saturday, June 13th. Eight rangers participated under the
supervision of criminal investigator Mike Blanford. A total of 378 vehicles
were checked; eleven field sobriety tests were conducted, resulting in one
arrest for drunk driving. A second arrest was made for an outstanding
warrant and 18 violation notices were issued for a variety of offenses,
including possession of open containers and a controlled substance. Another
30 drivers were warned about using seatbelts. Many visitors expressed their
thanks to the NPS for being out there and making the roads safer for their
families. [Bud Inman, LAME, 6/17]
Thursday, July 2, 1998
98-340 - Lake Mead NRA (AZ/NV) - Apparent Suicide
On June 30th, rangers responded to a visitor's report of a man sleeping in a
locked vehicle at the Lake Mead Lodge at Boulder Beach. The found the body
of S.G., 26, of Fullerton, California, in the back seat of a rental
1997 Ford Explorer. He appeared to have died as a result of a plastic tie,
similar to a Flexicuff, tightly secured around his neck. Metro homicide
detectives are investigating the case as a suspicious death, but it appears
at present that there is a high probability that the death is a suicide. The
death apparently occurred two to three days previously. This is the
eighteenth fatality recorded in the park this year. [Bud Inman, LAME, 6/30]
Wednesday, July 8, 1998
98-349 - Lake Mead NRA (AZ/NV) - Boating Accident; Rescue
Rangers and EMS volunteers responded to a personal watercraft (PWC) accident
on the afternoon of July 3rd. C.P., 16, of Signal Hill, California,
was struck by another PWC traveling over 30 mph, but was able to make it to
the Hemenway launch ramp. He complained of pain in his chest and difficulty
breathing and was found to have a deformity and crepitus (a grating sound
heard on movement of the ends of broken bones) on the left side of his chest.
The initial plan was to transport C.P. to an ambulance at Boulder City, but
EMT volunteer Dave Ladd became concerned about C.P.'s condition and instead
summoned a helicopter to fly him to a trauma center in Las Vegas. C.P. went
into shock upon arrival at the hospital and was rushed to the ER operating
room, where he was found to have a lacerated spleen. [Paul Crawford, LAME,
7/6]
Wednesday, July 8, 1998
98-360 - Lake Mead NRA (AZ/NV) - MVA with Multiple Injuries
Rangers and EMS crews responded to an accident at Lakeshore Road and the Las
Vegas Bay access road on the afternoon of July 4th. Three victims were
treated and transported, including an unconscious and unresponsive eight-
year-old boy. He was flown to the University Medical Center, where he
remains on a ventilator. Several hours later, rangers received a report of a
12-year-old in the Boulder Beach area who was disoriented and vomiting blood.
They learned that he'd been in the same vehicle as the eight-year-old and
that he'd walked away from the accident to join other family members in
another vehicle. He was taken to the UMC trauma center with a skull
fracture. [Paul Crawford, SPR, Boulder Basin District, LAME, 7/6]
Wednesday, July 8, 1998
98-365 - Lake Mead NRA (AZ/NV) - Probable Drowning
On the evening of July 4th, rangers Tom Valenta and Brian Cooperider checked
out a report of a person missing from a boat in the lower Boulder Basin.
They contacted K.B., 17, of Henderson, Nevada. She said that
she and C.S., 19, also of Henderson, had been riding together on a
PWC when they decided to stop and go for a swim. They took off their life
jackets and dove into the lake. The PWC began to drift away while they were
swimming; they attempted to reach it, but could not swim fast enough. They
both headed for Promontory Point, becoming separated en route. K.B.
heard C.S. call for help several times from behind her, but the calls
eventually stopped. K.B. swam for an estimated hour and a half before
being rescued by a private vessel. They searched for C.S. for about an
hour before summoning rangers. A search was begun and continued through the
following morning. No sign of him was found. The search area will be
checked daily for the next week. Water depths in the area range from 175 to
400 feet. [Paul Crawford, SPR, Boulder Basin District, LAME, 7/6]
Thursday, July 9, 1998
98-374 - Lake Mead NRA (AZ/NV) - Drowning
L.M., 34, of Las Vegas, was swimming with friends near Gypsum Wash
on the afternoon of July 6th when he attempted to cross a small cove and
disappeared underwater. Ranger Andy Coriell was the first to arrive. His
Spanish language skills enabled him to determine the point last seen.
Rangers Ryan Regnell and Paul Crawford arrived on scene and began an
underwater search. They found L.M.'s body in 37 feet of water between 25
and 30 feet from shore. [Bud Inman, LAME, 7/7]
Thursday, July 16, 1998
98-395 - Lake Mead NRA (AZ/NV) - PWC Accident with Fatality
C.S., 49, of Raleigh, North Carolina, was riding his personal
watercraft (PWC) about a mile off shore of the Hemenway Harbor area on the
afternoon of July 10th when the PWC stalled and was struck from behind by his
28-year-old son, who was riding a second PWC. The elder C.S. was killed.
This was the first time either had ridden PWCs. [Karen Whitney, LAME, 7/15]
Thursday, July 16, 1998
98-396 - Lake Mead NRA (AZ/NV) - PWC Accident with Fatality
On the evening of July 11th, 20-year-old K.U. of Herndon, Virginia,
was apparently thrown from his PWC while riding it near Hemenway Harbor.
K.U. was swimming after it when a second boat headed for the harbor ran
over him. The boaters retrieved K.U. from the lake and carried him to
shore, where rangers provided emergency medical assistance until he could be
airlifted to a hospital. He'd suffered propeller cuts along his body and
succumbed to these injuries just after 3 a.m. on Sunday morning. [Karen
Whitney, LAME, 7/15]
Thursday, July 16, 1998
98-397 - Lake Mead NRA (AZ/NV) - Drowning
Nine-year-old D.V.M. of Costa Mesa, California, was swimming from
his father's boat in Arizona Bay on Lake Mohave on July 11th when the boat
began drifting away. The boy panicked and tried to swim after it just as his
father was starting the boat to come back and get him. The boy went
underwater and the father jumped in and pulled him to the surface. He
treaded water for about 15 minutes, holding his son, until off-duty Henderson
police officers saw them in the water and came to their aid. They performed
CPR and carried the boy to Cottonwood Cove, where concession and NPS
emergency personnel continued CPR and provided advanced life support. He was
flown to a hospital in Las Vegas, where he died the following afternoon.
[Karen Whitney, LAME, 7/15]
Thursday, July 16, 1998
98-398 - Lake Mead NRA (AZ/NV) - Drowning
On July 14th, rangers searched unsuccessfully for several hours for a
fisherman who was last seen pulling up his anchor just off Boulder Beach
around 10 a.m. The park's tour boat found his boat circling without an
operator around 10:20 a.m. and notified park dispatch. Rangers caught the
boat and shut it down, but could not find the operator, C.P., 54,
of Las Vegas. The search centered in the area the boat was found circling
and along the shoreline. Air support for the search was provided by a park
aircraft and a local TV news helicopter. The lake is about 180 feet deep at
the point where the boat was found. Debris found in the water included
C.P.'s hat. There were also indications that he'd been run over by the
boat and hit by its propeller. Criminal investigator Gary Sebade is leading
the investigation. [Bud Inman, LAME, 7/15]
Thursday, July 16, 1998
98-402 - Lake Mead NRA (AZ/NV) - Suicide
T.M., 66, of Las Vegas, died of a self-inflicted gunshot wound on July
14th. T.M. drove to Lake Mead, parked his car at Montana Agate Wash off
Northshore Road, left a suicide note with the phone number of his next of kin
and his planned method for killing himself, walked to a point ten feet off the
roadway, and shot himself. [Bud Inman, LAME, 7/15]
Wednesday, July 22, 1998
98-413 - Lake Mead NRA (NV) - Vehicle Fire
Boulder District shift supervisor Tom Valenta spotted a fire at mile five on
Lake Shore Road on the afternoon of July 16th. When he arrived at that
location, he found a 40-foot motor home on fire. Park fire engines
responded. The front section of the vehicle was engulfed in flame, a 40-
gallon propane tank was venting, and the fire extended across the road. Fire
chief Bob Trodhal took command and had additional park units respond; Boulder
City fire department units were also summoned. The temperature was 122
degrees in the shade at the time, so heat exhaustion was a major concern.
Besides the heat, there were dangers associated with exploding ammunition and
the heavy fuel load in the interior, as the owners were moving and had filled
it with clothes and other property. Two firefighters were taken to the
hospital for heat exhaustion and released later that evening. The total loss
has been placed at $100,000. [Bud Inman, LAME, 7/17]
Friday, July 24, 1998
98-431 - Lake Mead NRA (AZ/NV) - Drug Arrests
Ranger Michael Sabatini, working in plain clothes, observed drug use in a
group of people on the South Swim Beach around noon on July 19th. Ranger Art
Gunzel arrived to assist. All five, ranging in age from 18 to 52, were
arrested. One had seven baggies of marijuana and five strips of blotter LSD;
two others had marijuana. One member of the group had been contacting
visitors on the beach, offering to sell the marijuana. The group had a 1962
Chevy bus with a 20-foot sailboat integrated into its roof. Sixty marijuana
pipes and other drug paraphernalia were found inside. [Bud Inman, LAME,
7/20]
Monday, August 3, 1998
98-456 - Lake Mead NRA (AZ/NV) - Drowning
On the evening of July 19th, dispatch received a report that a man who was
diving into the lake from the cliffs at Gypsum Wasch had failed to surface.
Rangers, EMS volunteers and a helicopter responded. Ranger/divers Ryan
Regnell and Paul Crawford found D.R., 18, of Las Vegas, in about 25
feet of water within two minutes and brought him to shore. Resuscitation
efforts were begun and D.R. was airlifted to a trauma center in Las Vegas,
where he was pronounced dead. D.R.'s death is the 17th water-related
fatality at Lake Mead this year. [Bud Inman, LAME, 7/20]
Tuesday, August 4, 1998
98-461 - Lake Mead NRA (AZ/NV) - Double Suicide
A commercial trucker taking a walk along the abandoned road bed of U.S. 93 in
Arizona on the evening of July 18th discovered the bodies of two people
inside a vehicle. Identities have tentatively been established as P.C.,
35, and S.C., 45, both of Arizona; the two were wanted by the
Maricopa County Sheriff's Office for child abuse and sex crimes with minors.
The exact cause of death is being investigated. [Bud Inman, LAME, 7/20]
Monday, August 17, 1998
98-506 - Lake Mead NRA (AZ/NV) - Heat Exposure Fatality
Ranger Mike Blandford came upon a four-wheel-drive vehicle stuck up to its
axles in a dry wash about eight-tenths of a mile from Northshore Road on the
afternoon of August 13th. The driver and sole occupant, D.R., 36,
had evidently died from dehydration. The vehicle had been stuck in the sand
for several days, with air temperatures around 115 degrees. D.R.
reportedly had a handicap to her right leg. She was found in the driver's
seat with the door open. This was the park's 29th fatality this year.
[Dispatch, LAME, 8/14]
Friday, August 21, 1998
98-506 - Lake Mead NRA (AZ/NV) - Update on Heat Exposure Fatality
On August 13th, criminal investigator Mike Blandford checked out a report of
a four-wheel-drive vehicle stuck up to its axles in a dry wash about eight-
tenths of a mile from Northshore Road. He found the body of the driver and
sole occupant, D.R., 36, who had been there for several days and
evidently died from dehydration. Investigation revealed that she apparently
became stuck in the wash late on the afternoon of Monday, August 10th, and
decided to stay with the car rather than walk to the well-traveled Northshore
Road. D.R.'s father reported that his daughter had been under treatment by
her doctor for recent excessive weight loss and dehydration. She could walk
with the help of a brace on her right leg, but tired very quickly. It's not
known why she drove away from the lake and up into the wash, an area that is
only infrequently visited in summer months. Afternoon temperatures hovered
around 115 degrees on the day she became stuck. [Mike Blandford, CI, LAME,
8/20]
Wednesday, September 2, 1998
98-554 - Lake Mead NRA (AZ/NV) - Multiple Rescues and Incidents
The park had another one of those days on August 30th:
o Boulder Beach rangers were dispatched to a boat accident with injuries
at the Lake Mead marina at 3:15 p.m. They found that two personal
watercraft had collided on the lake and that one party had been
injured. That person was taken to the hospital in Boulder City by the
park ambulance.
o Shortly thereafter, rangers were called to a single vehicle rollover
accident on Lakeshore Drive. All four occupants - two adults and two
children - were injured. Rangers and EMS volunteers provided patient
care. All were flown to the trauma center in Las Vegas. The driver is
suspected of operating under the influence.
o While response to the vehicle accident was underway, a man and his two
children were saved from drowning by interpretive rangers. The trio
was in a raft that was being pushed off the South Boulder swim beach by
gusty winds. The father, who did not know how to swim, stepped off the
raft, lost his grip, and began struggling in the water; the raft began
to drift away. All three were rescued by interpretive staff who were
conducting a water safety patrol. The father was brought to shore,
treated, then taken to the hospital by units from the city fire
department.
o While both of these incidents were underway, a fight in progress
outside the Las Vegas Bay ranger station was reported. The district
ranger and state warden supervisor responded, but found that all the
participants had fled the area.
o As rangers were clearing from these calls, a weather front moved
through the area. The dispatch center was flooded with calls of
vessels in distress, capsized vessels, and vessels taking on water that
had insufficient numbers of life jackets aboard. Rangers, game wardens
and park VIPs worked together to respond to seven separate rescues. At
Black Island, a boater attempted to fend his boat off from the shore by
placing himself between the boat and the shoreline. He was treated for
crushing injuries to his legs, then flown to the trauma center. Two
vessels were swamped and a third was capsized. All occupants were
rescued. A second storm front came through later on, causing heavy
rain, lightning, and flash flooding.
[Paul Crawford, SPR, Boulder Basin District, LAME, 8/31]
Wednesday, September 2, 1998
98-555 - Lake Mead NRA (AZ/NV) - Boating Accident with Fatality
J.G., 34, of Las Vegas, was killed around 10:30 p.m. on August 29th
when the 22-foot Seaswirl he was traveling in struck a rock cliff near
Sandmine Cove at a high rate of speed. J.G. was killed when he slammed
against the boat's interior. The boat operator said that he fell asleep.
Alcohol was a contributing factor. [Dispatch, LAME, 8/30]
Wednesday, September 2, 1998
98-556 - Lake Mead NRA (AZ/NV) - MVA with Fatality
D.A., 50, lost control of his 1973 Chevy pickup while traveling on
Northshore Road around noon on August 31st. The truck crossed the oncoming
lane, left the roadway and struck an embankment. The vehicle was totalled.
CPR was begun, but proved fruitless. He was pronounced dead at the scene.
This was the park's 32nd fatality this year. [Dispatch, LAME, 8/31]
Friday, September 4, 1998
98-568 - Lake Mead NRA (AZ/NV) - Arrest; Assault, Felony DUI
Rangers Todd Austin and Jan Kirwan investigated a fight in North Telephone
Cove at 9 p.m. on August 17th. After calming the situation, they stepped
back into the darkness to see how things would go. They heard someone
declare that his wallet had been stolen, and that he was going to drive
through the alleged thief's campsite with his pickup. The truck started up
and began to move toward the campsite. Austin and Kirwan intercepted the
truck, jerked the door open, and dragged the driver off the seat before he
could get any further. He was found to be completely naked. The wallet he
said had been stolen was on the seat beside him. Investigation revealed that
he was P.W. of Bullhead, Arizona, that he was intoxicated, and that
this was his third DUI offense this year alone. He was charged with
aggravated driving, driving under the influence, and driving on a suspended
license. [Bud Inman, LAME, 9/1]
Wednesday, September 9, 1998
98-572 - Lake Mead NRA (AZ/NV) - Rescue
Park dispatch was notified of an climbing accident at St. James Bay on the
morning of September 5th. B.B., 20, from the El Toro Marine Corps
Air Station, was attempting to climb up a steep, unstable cliff to make a
dive into the lake when he dislodged a two-foot diameter rock; the rock fell
on his left foot, lacerating it to the bone. EMS volunteer Renee Johnson
responded on a private boat. She found that she couldn't reach B.B. and
advised that the park's SAR team was needed. Rangers Randy Neal, Robert
Moelder and Paul Crawford responded. A suitable anchor system was
constructed despite unstable terrain. Molder rappelled from a point 20 feet
above B.B., then lowered him another 30 feet to the bow of a patrol
boat. B.B. was taken by boat to Calville Bay, then airlifted to a
trauma center in Las Vegas. Northshore district ranger Steve Drolet was IC.
[Paul Crawford, SPR, Boulder Basin District, LAME, 9/8]
Thursday, September 10, 1998
98-583 - Lake Mead NRA (AZ/NV) - Drowning
On September 7th, L.C., 70, of Bullhead City, Arizona, dove into Lake
Mohave from the back of a friend's boat. He surfaced, yelled for help,
struggled to stay afloat, then went under. His body was later recovered.
This was the park's 34th fatality this year. [Jan Kirwan, LAME, 9/8]
Wednesday, September 23, 1998
98-618 - Lake Mead NRA (AZ/NV) - Boat Accident with Rescue
On the evening of September 20th, six Las Vegas residents were fishing from a
14-foot aluminum boat near the Hemenway Wall. Around 10 p.m., one of them
made a cast that upset the balance of the boat, which began taking on water.
Efforts to bail out the water were unsuccessful and the boat capsized. All
six occupants had donned life jackets. Three swam for shore while the other
three stayed with the boat. The three who made it to shore lit a fire and
screamed for help. Visitors at the Lake Mead overlook on Highway 93 heard
them and called park dispatch. Rangers Jeff Goad and Brian Cooperider
responded in a park boat; another ranger drove to the overlook, spotted the
fire, and directed them to that location. Goad and Cooperider rescued the
three people in the water, picked up the other three from the shore, and
transported all six to their vehicles at the Hemenway launch ramp. They
declined medical care. Goad and Cooperider then returned to the accident
scene, extinguished the fire, righted the boat, and towed it back to shore.
[Paul Crawford, SPR, LAME, 9/21]
Thursday, September 24, 1998
98-619 - Lake Mead NRA (AZ/NV) - Boating Accident with Fatality
G.W., 33, of Costa Mesa, California, was killed in a boating
accident near Katharine Landing on September 19th. G.W., who had
consumed eight or nine beers over a four-hour period, left his beach campsite
on a rented personal watercraft (PWC) around 10:30 p.m. When he failed to
return by 2 a.m., a friend called rangers. A water search was begun at 3:45
a.m. G.W.'s body was found floating about 10 feet from his PWC. It
appears that he was killed when he ran into a slight rock outcropping at a
high rate of speed. This was the park's 35th fatality this year. [Jan
Kirwan, LAME, 9/20]
Friday, October 2, 1998
98-630 - Lake Mead NRA (AZ/NV) - Remains Found
Hikers found skeletal remains close to the historic railroad trail near
Boulder Beach on September 28th and reported the discovery to rangers. The
victim apparently died within the last year. Las Vegas homicide detectives
have been called in to assist in the investigation. Although there were no
obvious signs of foul play, the discovery is being treated as a possible
homicide until the autopsy is concluded. [Karen Whitney, LAME, 9/29]
Wednesday, October 14, 1998
98-663 - Lake Mead NRA (NV/AZ) - Resource Theft Conviction
On August 28th, L.S., 57, of Las Vegas, Nevada, pled guilty to a
felony violation of the Lacey Act, which prohibits the interstate transport
of illegaly taken plants and wildlife. The charge stemmed from theft of
cacti from the park earlier this year. On February 14th, L.S., the owner
of a Las Vegas-based landscaping firm called Cactus All Legal, drove to the
Cottonwood Cove area of the park to collect cactus. A passing visitor who
saw L.S. digging them up notified a police officer on patrol in a town near
the park; the officer advised park dispatch, and ranger Glen Anderson
investigated. L.S. was in the act of loading 11 cactus plants into his
truck when contacted by Anderson. A thorough investigation of the crime
scene by Anderson, special agent Gary Sebade and members of the park's
resource management staff led to identification of the sites where the cacti
had been taken. GIS was utilized to plot the locations. A day laborer whom
L.S. had hired also provided evidence. Sentencing is set for December
11th. Once the case has been adjudicated, the cacti, which have been held as
evidence in the park's nursery, will be planted in an interpretive display at
the Cottonwood Cove ranger station to educate the public on the Lacey Act and
other laws related to cactus plants. [Bud Inman, LAME, 10/13]
Wednesday, November 25, 1998
98-727 - Lake Mead NRA (NV/AZ) - Accidental Fatal Shooting
On November 22nd, M.B., 23, camped with a friend near Lake Mohave.
During the night, M.B. rolled over onto a loaded .40 caliber handgun,
which accidentally discharged and struck him near his left groin and femur.
He was flown out to a trauma center in Las Vegas, where he was pronounced
dead just after 3 a.m. This was the park's 37th fatality this year.
[Dispatch, LAME, 11/23]
Monday, December 28, 1998
98-766 - Lake Mead NRA (AZ/NV) - Boat Sinking; Rescue
On the morning of December 20th, the operator of the 55-foot houseboat Hydro
Therapy radioed the park that the boat was taking on water in Castle Cove.
Rangers Jeff Goad and Robert Moelder responded in a 31-foot Bertrum and
rangers Joe Hayes and Paul Crawford traveled to the scene in a 25-foot rigid
hull inflatable Zodiac. When they arrived, they found that the houseboat was
partially submerged and had broached along the shoreline; the two occupants
were on shore, cold and wet but uninjured. The sinking had occurred during a
lake wind advisory. The houseboat was moored in a cove with no protection
from the wind. It had slipped its mooring lines, then smashed and sunk an
18-foot Sea Ray that was tied off alongside. The two victims were picked up
and transported to Boulder Harbor. The boat crews faced a sustained 50 mph
head wind and four- to five-foot waves on the return trip. As they arrived
at the harbor, they were apprised of a report of a sailboarder in distress.
Crawford joined Goad and Moelder and geared up for a rescue swim as they
headed for the area where the sailboarder had last been seen. They found
D.S. in the water off Boulder Islands. Although he told them he
was okay, he added that he was too fatigued to swim to the boat. Crawford
swam to him and helped him back to the Bertrum. D.S. said that he was
about to give up hope when the rangers arrived, and that they had saved his
life. He was warmed up, but declined further treatment. [Paul Crawford,
SPR, Boulder Basin District, LAME, 12/22]
Wednesday, December 30, 1998
98-772 - Lake Mead NRA (AZ/NV) - Pursuit; DUI Arrest
Park dispatch received a report of a drunk driver on Lake Mead Boulevard on
the afternoon of December 27th. Ranger Wes Houk intercepted the vehicle, a
26-foot, 1975 Tioga motorhome, at the point where the boulevard intersects
with Northshore Drive. Houk attempted to stop the vehicle, but the driver -
subsequently identified as R.F., 56, of Las Vegas - accelerated
away, striking a guard rail and damaging the vehicle in the process. Houk
pursued along with rangers Bob Carnes and Andy Coriell. As Coriell
attempted to pass the motorhome, R.F. veered the motorhome toward him in
an apparent attempt to run Coriell off the road. The pursuit left the park
and continued towards Henderson, Nevada. Officers from that jurisdiction
joined the chase. Coriell was able to get ahead of R.F. on Lake Mead
Drive and place a spike stick on the road. The spikes deflated the
motorhome's right rear dual wheels, but R.F. continued down the road at
speeds of about 50 mph as the motorhome's tires began to disintegrate. The
motorhome finally came to a stop in front of a residence in Henderson.
R.F. was ordered out of the vehicle, but refused to comply. Coriell and
a Henderson officer opened the passenger side door and found that R.F.
was armed with a small camping axe. Coriell disabled, disarmed and
extricated R.F., then placed him under custody. There were no
passengers in the motorhome. Investigation revealed that R.F.'s license
was suspended and that he had a prior conviction for operating under the
influence (OUI). His two breath alcohol tests indicated breath alcohol of
.27 and .28% R.F. was charged with DUI, DUI with a breath alcohol above
.10%, driving without a license, interfering with an agency function,
damaging government property, and possession of a controlled substance.
[Paul Crawford, SPR, Boulder Basin District, LAME, 12/27]
Thursday, December 31, 1998
98-775 - Lake Mead NRA (AZ/NV) - Homicide
On the morning of December 30th, a park visitor found a man's body floating
face up in the lake near Sand Island. The as yet unidentified man, thought
to be in his mid-30s, had a nylon rope tied around him. The investigation is
being handled by rangers and investigators from Las Vegas' homicide unit.
[Karen Whitney, LAME, 12/30]
Friday, February 5, 1999
98-113 - Lake Mead NRA (NV/AZ) - Follow-up: Fatal Boating Accident
A high-performance 47-foot Fountain "cigarette" boat ran aground at high
speed in upper Boulder Basin east of Burro Point some time after midnight on
the morning of March 23, 1998. Four of the seven occupants were killed;
three, including the operator, M.Y., were injured. The deceased were
M.Y.'s wife, C.Y., 44, M.K., 26, E.C., 27, and Pearl
Ewens, 47. On Monday, February 1st, M.Y. pled guilty to four counts of
manslaughter in Mohave County superior court in Kingman, Arizona. He will be
sentenced in March. Park criminal investigator Gary Sebade was the lead
investigator. [Paul Crawford, LAME, 2/3]
Thursday, February 18, 1999
99-50 - Lake Mead NRA (AZ/NV) - Assault
Katherine Landing rangers were summoned to a cabin area to investigate a
motor vehicle accident with property damage at 2:30 a.m. on Saturday,
February 6th. While en route, they learned that the driver of the vehicle,
later identified as one G.S., had assaulted two good Samaritans
who had come to his aid. The victims, aged 59 and 72, said that G.S. had
been calm until they mentioned that they'd summoned rangers. G.S. kicked
them and beat them with their own flashlights, then fled from the area in
another vehicle, leaving his 1985 Camaro behind. Rangers found G.S.'s
wallet in the Camaro. The wallet contained his parole officer's business
card, probation paperwork, and payment receipts that G.S. had written to
himself for anger-related events. The two victims positively identified
G.S. as their assailant, and a warrant was issued for aggravated assault.
The state also voided his parole. G.S. was subsequently picked up on
unrelated charges in Riverside, California, and is awaiting extradition to
Arizona. [Bud Inman, LAME, 2/17]
Wednesday, March 10, 1999
98-113 - Lake Mead NRA (NV/AZ) - Follow-up: Fatal Boating Accident
A high-performance 47-foot Fountain "cigarette" boat, valued at $375,000, ran
aground at high speed in upper Boulder Basin east of Burro Point some time
after midnight on the morning of March 23, 1998. Four of the seven occupants
were killed; three, including the operator, M.Y., were injured. The
deceased were M.Y.'s wife, C.Y., 44, M.K., 26, E.C., 27,
and P.E., 47. On Monday, February 1st, M.Y. pled guilty to four
counts of manslaughter in Mohave County superior court in Kingman, Arizona.
On March 3rd, M.Y. was sentenced to four years in prison for the death of
Cason and ordered to pay $4,700 in restitution to E.C.'s family. He was
also sentenced to concurrent, seven-year probation periods for the three
other deaths and must perform 1,000 hours of community service. [Paul
Crawford, SPR, Boulder Basin District, LAME, 3/8]
Thursday, March 11, 1999
99-80 - Lake Mead NRA (NV/AZ) - Body Found
The skeletal remains of a human body were found by a park visitor on Kingman
Wash Road on the afternoon of March 9th. The death is under investigation;
the victim has not yet been positively identified. The county sheriff's
office is assisting in the investigation. [Dispatch, LAME, 3/9]
Monday, March 15, 1999
99-83 - Lake Mead NRA (AZ/NV) - Arrests, Stolen Vehicle and Vessel
On March 7th, a Nevada Division of Wildlife (NDOW) game warden asked rangers
to help him locate a stolen boat and trailer in Plateau Cove on Lake Mohave,
which is part of the park. Ranger Glen Anderson responded by boat from
Cottonwood Cove. The warden had meanwhile determined that the suspects -
J.C., 31, and T.W., 22 - had just left the area in a motor
home. Another warden stopped the vehicle outside of Nelson, Nevada, about a
half hour later. J.C. got out of the motor home and fled, leaving T.W.
and a five-year-old boy behind. NDOW again asked for help; rangers Andy
Coriell, Ryan Regnell and Paul Crawford and city officers searched the area,
including an abandoned mining claim and various trailers, vehicles and
shacks. The search then moved to a wash and the mountainside above it, where
a helicopter with an infrared detection device picked up the hiding J.C.
J.C. and T.W. were arrested. Both have extensive criminal histories;
T.W. had just been released from prison on a stolen vehicle charge. The
two had stolen the motor home and a boat on a trailer behind it. They
launched the boat into the water by backing the trailer off a ledge until the
boat fell into the water. They attempted to recover it by disconnecting the
trailer from the RV, lifting the boat onto the trailer, then pulling the
trailer back to the RV using ropes. This proved to be an unsuccessful
strategy, so they abandoned the boat and took off in the motor home. [Paul
Crawford, SPR, Boulder Basin District, LAME, 3/13]
Wednesday, March 17, 1999
99-90 - Lake Mead NRA (NV/AZ) - MVA with Fatality
Park dispatch was notified by visitors of a serious rollover accident on the
Katherines Landing access road around 2:30 a.m. on the morning of Friday,
March 12th. Ranger/medics and a park fire engine were dispatched. When the
first ranger arrived, Bullhead City fire and police units were on the scene,
treating the three survivors of the accident. A fourth - A.M., 18,
of Bullhead City - was killed. The vehicle caught fire and was fully
consumed. Alcohol and high speed were contributing factors. The accident is
being jointly investigated by the park and the county. [John Miser, LAME,
3/12]
Friday, May 7, 1999
99-165 - Lake Mead NRA (AZ/NV) - Boat Fire
The Mohave County emergency dispatch center received a report of a boat fire
in Katherine Harbor at 4:45 a.m. on May 5th. The Katherine fire brigade
responded with one engine, Bullhead City provided two engines and an
ambulance, and Lake Mohave Resort dispatched a fire boat. They found two
boats fully engulfed in fire and a number of others threatened by the flames.
The fire boat, floating fire pumps, and hand lines from on-shore engines were
used to fight the fire. Four vessels were cut loose so that they could drift
away from the blaze. Three other vessels and the marina's walkway were
slightly damaged. There were no injuries and environmental damage was
limited to a small amount of floating debris. The arson investigator from
Bullhead City and the criminal investigator from the park's Mohave District
are cooperating in the investigation. Preliminary indications are that the
fire may be suspicious in nature. [Ralph Patterson, LAME, 5/5]
Monday, May 17, 1999
99-181 - Lake Mead NRA (AZ/NV) - Drowning
V.B., 49, was swimming in Chili Pepper Cove on the afternoon of
May 13th when he began having difficulty. He went under before bystanders
who saw he was in trouble could reach him. His body was located in about 21
feet of water by the park's dive team. [Dispatch, LAME, 5/13]
Monday, May 17, 1999
99-182 - Lake Mead NRA (AZ/NV) - Drowning
J.R., 28, dove off a boat at Hemenway Fishing Point to swim to shore
on the afternoon of May 13th. He never surfaced. The park's dive team found
his body in eight feet of water. [Dispatch, LAME, 5/13]
Monday, May 17, 1999
99-183 - Lake Mead NRA (AZ/NV) - Drowning
L.M.-D., 22, disappeared while swimming at the North Swim Beach on
the afternoon of May 13th. A park diver found him in about six feet of water
and brought him to shore. CPR was begun immediately; he was flown to a
nearby hospital, where he was pronounced dead on arrival. Alcohol is
believed to have been a contributing factor. [Dispatch, LAME, 5/13]
Monday, May 17, 1999
99-184 - Lake Mead NRA (AZ/NV) - Possible Suicide
A patrol ranger came upon a vehicle near a dumpster in Gypsum Wash on the
afternoon of May 15th and discovered a burned body inside. The Las Vegas
Metro Police Department is handling the investigation. The victim has been
identified as Richard Crawford, 60. The preliminary investigation indicates
a possible suicide. [Dispatch, LAME, 5/15]
Wednesday, May 19, 1999
99-190 - Lake Mead NRA (AZ/NV) - Drowning
On May 16th, rangers responded to the report of a drowning at Government
Wash. D.H-L. of Las Vegas had been swimming with friends when
he went underwater. Ranger Andy Corriel was first on scene and was soon
joined by ranger/divers Ryan Regnell and Paul Crawford. Regnell recovered
D.H-L.'s body from 35 feet of water within a minute. Resuscitation
was begun immediately by rangers Robert Moelder, Tom McDermott, Randy Neal
and local rescue personnel. D.H-L. was flown to the UMC Trauma
Center, where he was pronounced dead. This was the fourth drowning in the
park in four days. [Paul Crawford, SPR, Boulder Basin District, LAME, 5/17]
Thursday, May 20, 1999
99-193 - Lake Mead NRA (AZ/NV) - Fire-Bombing Arrests
Ranger Randy Neal came upon two vehicles parked on East Lake Mead Boulevard
near the Northshore Road intersection at 11:10 p.m. on May 16th. Neither had
their lights on, nor appeared to be disabled. Neal stopped and watched from
a distance. One of the vehicles pulled forward and stopped; a streak of
flame, later determined to be a Molotov cocktail, issued from it and struck
the parked car, a 1998 Mustang. Neal advised dispatch of a vehicle fire and
pursued, cut off and stopped the other car. The two occupants - J.V.,
36, and J.G., 36, both of Las Vegas - were held at gun
point until backup arrived. Both men had materials with them, including
matches, that were confiscated as evidence. J.G. also smelled of
gasoline, and J.V. had a Ford vehicle key in his possession. They were
booked into the Clark County Detention Center on felony arson charges. The
Mustang was destroyed. [Paul Crawford, SPR, Boulder Basin District, LAME,
5/18]
Monday, May 24, 1999
99-199 - Lake Mead NRA (NV/AZ) - Disorderly Conduct
About 250 kids from UCLA's water skiing club gathered in the Katherine area
over the May 15th weekend. They broke two windows and 17 chairs in the
motel, broke into a room, and trashed the entire motel area. Many attempted
to buy alcohol though underage, and berated concession employees who asked
for identification. Rangers made them pour out their beer, then found the
same people drinking beer again two or three minutes later. Their boats were
grossly overloaded. Citations were written to many members of the group, who
complained that they were being singled out for persecution. [Bud Inman,
LAME, 5/20]
Monday, May 24, 1999
99-200 - Lake Mead NRA (NV/AZ) - MVA with Fatality
Rangers responded to an accident on the Katherine Access Road at Stopsign
Cove at 8:30 p.m. on the evening of Thursday, May 13th. A vehicle driven by
J.H. left the right side of the road, hit an embankment, and went
down a 35% slope. J.H. was pinned behind the steering wheel and under the
pedals; Joshua Baxter, an adult of unknown age, was lying outside and below
the vehicle; J.J., 9, who was not wearing a seatbelt, was lying in
the back seat. Chains were attached to the vehicle while rescue efforts were
undertaken to prevent it from rolling onto Baxter, who was lying downhill.
J.J. had symptoms of severe brain damage. He was flown to a hospital in
Las Vegas and remained in the ICU until pronounced dead on the evening of May
19th. J.H. was found to have a blood alcohol level of .147%. Negligent
manslaughter charges are being filed against him. [Bud Inman, LAME, 5/20]
Friday, May 28, 1999
99-220 - Lake Mead NRA (AZ/NV) - Multiple Alcohol Arrests
Rangers in the Boulder Basin District took nine people in custody for
alcohol-related offenses during a span of 40 minutes on the afternoon of
Sunday, May 23rd. Ranger Ryan Regnell came upon a vehicle parked on
Northshore Drive, several of its five adult male occupants standing outside
urinating. All were drunk and one had an active arrest warrant. Four were
arrested for public intoxication, the other on the active warrant. Shortly
thereafter, ranger Paul Crawford stopped two vehicles for traffic violations
on the same road near Government Wash. Each was occupied by a driver and
passenger. Ranger Art Gunzel took the lead on one vehicle while Crawford
worked the other. Both drivers were arrested for operating under the
influence; both passengers, who were drunker than the drivers, were arrested
for public intoxication. A while later, off-duty ranger Brian Cooperider
spotted what appeared to be a drunken driver heading out of the park towards
Boulder City. Ranger Randy Neal stopped it, but the driver then started up
again and continued into the city at about 20 mph. The 50-year-old driver
was taken into custody after she parked at her residence. [Bud Inman, LAME,
5/24]
Wednesday, June 2, 1999
99-228 - Lake Mead NRA (AZ/NV) - Special Event
The park and the Desert Valley Water Safety Council hosted the first annual
Water Safety Fair at the special events beach in the Boulder Basin District
on the weekend of May 22nd-23rd. The council is chartered under the National
Water Safety Congress; members include the NPS, Coast Guard Auxiliary, United
States Power Squadron, Nevada Division of Wildlife, Lake Mead Boat Owners
Association, marine retailers, marine operators, and several boating and
diving clubs. The two-day event included instruction, demonstrations, and
dissemination of information on water safety. Activities included kayaking,
cardboard boat building, rescue relays, PWC education, rides, and boat
demonstrations. The park staged a mock water rescue at the end of each day.
The president of the council is retired park ranger Bob McKeever. [Bud
Inman, LAME, 5/24]
Thursday, June 17, 1999
99-273 - Lake Mead NRA (AZ/NV) - Memorial Day Weekend Incidents
Over 250,000 people visited the park over the three days of the Memorial Day
weekend. Rangers made 31 arrests and worked 37 medicals, 21 motor vehicle
accidents and 15 boat accidents, but there were no fatalities over the
weekend. Highlights from the weekend from the Boulder Basin District and
Mohave District include the following:
o A ranger stopped a vehicle for speeding on May 27th. The registration
did not match the vehicle; an identification number check revealed that
it was stolen out of Washington state. The driver was arrested for
possession of the stolen vehicle and for being under the influence.
The passenger was a suspect in campsite thefts at Government Wash and
was also taken into custody.
o After assisting Northshore rangers with a fight at Boxcar Cove on May
30th, rangers crossed paths with a felony robbery suspect from
Riverside, California. Authorities in Riverside had received a tip
that the subject was a frequent visitor to the lake and that he camped
in the backcountry. He was to be considered armed and dangerous, as he
had stated he was not going back to prison. He was taken into custody
without incident. His companion was a 13-year-old female.
o Rangers responded to the end of the right fork of Government Wash on
May 30th, where there was a report of a large group of people fighting.
Weapons were reportedly involved. At the same time, rangers had four
people in custody from an MVA, another being detained for disorderly
conduct, and a possible armed subject who was thought to be part of the
fugitive arrest. Upon arrival at the fight scene, members of the group
dispersed into different beach camps. Several people had been beaten
with two-by-fours, baseball bats, rocks, hands and feet. The fight
occurred after the victims refused to by drugs from the suspects, who
had been going from camp to camp attempting to sell narcotics. It was
reported that the suspects had fled to the extreme end of the right
fork, which was densely occupied. After arriving on scene, the
responding rangers realized that they were understaffed to perform a
safe and effective sweep of the area. All available rangers were
immediately called out, along with a police helicopter from Las Vegas
Metro. The area was sealed off, and a dozen rangers and a local
officer swept it to locate the suspects. Forty individuals were
removed from the area in a felony stop type of operation. Four were
eventually identified and taken into custody. The firearms that were
seen by numerous visitors were never located.
o A possible hate crime assault occurred in the houseboat boarding area
of the Back Bay on May 30th. A pickup with eight to ten Hispanic men
yelled obscenities at an Armenian group with children. The group
objected and a fight broke out. Two children and two women were
assaulted by the men, who then fled the scene.
o Two juvenile boys were the victims of a motor vehicle accident on the
South Swim Beach on the 30th. They were lying on a blanket behind a
parked vehicle in the parking area. A vehicle parked next to the boys
backed up, then headed forward, running over one of the boys and
striking the other. Both were transported to the UMC Trauma Center.
o The driver of a rental boat hit a Nevada Division of Wildlife (NDOW)
boat outside the harbor on the night of May 30th. The warden was not
injured. The boater had approached the warden with a question. While
trying to maneuver his boat in close, the operator added power when he
should have gone into reverse and struck the stern of the NDOW boat.
The boat operator was arrested for operating under the influence.
o Rangers working an MVA received a report of a drive-by shooting on
Northshore Drive on May 31st. The vehicles involved were located at
the Hemenway launch ramp, 12 miles from the scene of the incident.
Rangers and state game wardens made three high-risk vehicle stops. The
gun - a .45 ACP Ruger - was found in one of the vehicles. One of the
occupants of the vehicles admitted that he fired two shots in the air
while driving. He was arrested for firing from a motor vehicle and
having a loaded weapon.
[Paul Crawford, SPR, Boulder Basin District, LAME, 6/10]
Wednesday, June 23, 1999
99-293 - Lake Mead NRA (AZ/NV) - Boating OUI/Safety Operation, Arrests
A group of rangers and state enforcement officers known as "the Wolfpack"
conducted an operation to check for boaters operating under the influence
(OUI) in the Cottonwood Cover Harbor on Lake Mohave on the afternoon of
Saturday, June 19th. The Wolfpack is the enforcement unit of the Drowning
Awareness Response Team (DART) that was developed by the park last summer and
consists of rangers and game wardens from the National Park Service, the
Nevada Division of Wildlife, and Arizona Game and Fish. As vessels entered
the harbor, they passed buoys that indicated that an OUI check point was
taking place, then were directed to a dock by rangers and wardens in boats
and on personal watercraft. Boaters were also advised that this action was
part of a DART effort to reduce the number of accidents and drownings that
occur in the park. During the operation, 157 vessels with 512 people onboard
went through the check point. Vessel operators were first checked for
alcohol consumption; if they appeared to be unimpaired, then a safety
inspection was performed on the vessel. No verbal warnings were given for
several violations - failure to have the proper number of and properly sized
personal flotation devices (PFDs), failure to have a type IV throwable PFD
aboard, missing fire extinguishers, and registration violations. A total of
39 citations and 24 warnings for other violations were issued. Children who
were found to be wearing PFDs were given T-shirts and other goodies. Those
operators who appeared impaired were given a field sobriety test and a
preliminary breath test. Five operators were taken into custody for OUI.
Once arrested, they were taken aboard a Forever Resorts houseboat which
served as the incident command post and booking area, complete with an
Intoxilyzer 5000 for breath tests. [Paul G. Crawford, SPR, Boulder Basin
District, Lake Mead NRA, 6/22]
Wednesday, July 7, 1999
99-337 - Lake Mead NRA (NV/AZ) - Fatal Boating Accident
On July 5th, R.J., 59, was returning to Callville Bay with friends
in a small Zodiac boat when the Zodiac was struck by a vessel being operated
by the 17-year-old son of one of the members of the party. A young child and
dog were rescued, but R.J. could not be found and is presumed dead. An
investigation is underway. [Terri Greene, Dispatch, LAME, 7/6]
Wednesday, July 7, 1999
99-338 - Lake Mead NRA (NV/AZ) - MVA with Fatality
J.R., 19, was heading north on Northshore Road at a high rate of
speed on the evening of July 5th when his Mustang swerved into the southbound
lane and struck a Toyota. The Mustang broke into two pieces and J.R.
was thrown about 75 to 100 feet and killed. All persons involved in the
accident were wearing seatbelts. [Terri Greene, Dispatch, LAME, 7/6]
Wednesday, July 7, 1999
99-339 - Lake Mead NRA (NV/AZ) - Drowning
D.R., 48, and a female companion were tubing on Government Wash on
the afternoon of July 4th. Gusty winds blew the tube offshore and D.R.
swam after it. He disappeared in the middle of the cove. [Terri Greene,
Dispatch, LAME, 7/6]
Friday, July 9, 1999
99-360 - Lake Mead NRA (NV/AZ) - Disorderly Conduct
On the evening of June 28th, park dispatch notified rangers of a disabled
vessel south of Cottonwood Cove. The vessel, which was occupied by five
intoxicated men, was placed under tow. Rangers asked them to put on their
life jackets, as is required within the park. They replied that they were
police officers and that they didn't need the advice of rangers. They did
not have enough life jackets with them, and the boat lacked other required
safety equipment. The officers became hostile and threatening toward the
rangers while the boat was being inspected. Other rangers arrived on scene
by both land and water. The officers continued their belligerence, stating
that they would "kick (the rangers') asses." One member of the group fled;
those remaining said that it would take every ranger in the park to apprehend
him if the rangers attempted to do so. The officer who fled was arrested
three hours later and booked into jail for interfering with an agency
function and disorderly conduct. Other members of the group were cited for
safety violations, interfering with an agency function, and public
intoxication. A loaded and cocked .45 caliber handgun was found during a
search of the vessel. A sergeant from the agency's professional standards
division flew into Cottonwood the following day to interview the rangers
involved in the incident and to apologize for the officers' behavior. [Ralph
Patterson, DR, Mohave District, LAME, 7/6]
Tuesday, August 3, 1999
99-404 - Lake Mead NRA (NV/AZ) - Drowning
J.R., 17, was at the marina at Katherine Landing with his parents
on the afternoon of July 29th. He jumped into the water from the family's
houseboat to install spark plugs in two personal watercraft. As he climbed
back onto the houseboat, he complained about a tingling sensation in his legs
that got stronger as he approached the stern of the houseboat. His mother
reached over to try and help him and received a shock; her husband grabbed
her and was also shocked. A passing visitor unplugged the boat from shore
power, terminating the electrical charge in the water. Concession divers
recovered J.R.'s body in 30 feet of water. CPR was begun and he was
taken to Bullhead City Hospital, where he was pronounced dead. [Dispatch,
LAME, 7/29]
Wednesday, August 4, 1999
99-417 - Lake Mead NRA (NV/AZ) - MVA with Fatality
P.M., 40, of las Vegas, Nevada, lost control of his motorcycle on
Lake Mead Boulevard and went off the road just before 4 a.m. on July 21st.
He was flown to a city hospital, where he was pronounced dead. State police
are investigating. [Dispatch, LAME, 7/22]
Wednesday, August 11, 1999
99-445 - Lake Mead NRA (NV/AZ) - Drowning
A.S., 37, was fishing from shore with a friend near the marina at
Overton Beach on August 8th. He went off to look at the marina and
apparently lost his balance on the docks, fell into the water and drowned.
He was reported missing by a companion an hour and a half later. Rangers
conducted extensive ground, water and air searches for him. A.S.'s body was
found in the marina two days later by a concessions worker. Alcohol is
presumed to have been a contributing factor. A.S. was on active duty in the
Army, so military authorities are investigating in conjunction with rangers.
[Dispatch, LAME, 8/10]
Wednesday, August 11, 1999
99-446 - Lake Mead NRA (NV/AZ) - Plane Crash with Fatality
A blue and white single-engine plane was seen flying low over Eldorado Canyon
on the afternoon of August 10th. The plane banked south, then flew into the
canyon wall. Pilot E.B., 51, was killed; a passenger was flown to
the trauma center at a local hospital. The incident is under investigation
by the park, FAA and NTSB. This is the park's 19th fatality this year.
[Dispatch, LAME, 8/10]
Wednesday, August 18, 1999
99-446 - Lake Mead NRA (NV/AZ) - Follow-up: Plane Crash with Fatality
Additional information has been received on the aircraft accident that
occurred in the park on the afternoon of August 10th. B.L. of
Henderson, Nevada, was visiting the Nelsons Landing area when he saw the
single-engine aircraft enter Eldorado Wash, narrowly missing a cliff. The
aircraft continued up the wash, then banked to the left and struck a slope on
the south side of the wash. B.L. went to the scene of the accident, where he
found both occupants alive but unresponsive, then went back to his car and
dialed 911. Responding units were at first directed to Aztec Wash, as that
was where B.L. thought he was located. The accident scene was found by
ranger/pilot Bruce Lenon from a park aircraft; he redirected units to the
correct location. A Las Vegas Metro PD helicopter and a county medevac
helicopter were first on scene. Rangers and other emergency personnel
arrived shortly thereafter and began patient care. E.B., 51, of
Louisiana, had already expired. C.S., 23, of California, was
seriously injured but alive. He was flown to a trauma center in Las Vegas,
where he remains in critical condition. E.B. and his son had just
purchased the aircraft in Boulder City. C.S., a flight instructor, was
evidently giving each of the B.s a check-out flight prior to their
departure for Louisiana. The accident is under investigation by the NPS, FAA
and NTSB. Supervisory park ranger Paul Crawford was IC for the incident and
the subsequent removal of the aircraft. [Dale Antonich, CR, LAME, 8/11]
Thursday, August 19, 1999
99-493 - Lake Mead NRA (AZ/NV) - Boating OUI/Safety Operation; Arrests
A group of rangers and state enforcement officers known as "the Wolfpack"
conducted an operation to check for boaters operating under the influence
(OUI) in Callville Bay on Lake Mead on the afternoon of Sunday, August 1st.
The Wolfpack is the enforcement unit of the Drowning Awareness Response Team
(DART) that was developed by the park last summer and consists of rangers and
game wardens from the National Park Service, the Nevada Division of Wildlife,
and Arizona Game and Fish. Also present at the check point were narcotics
officers from the Nevada Division of Investigation and a trooper from the
Nevada Highway Patrol. As vessels entered the harbor, they passed buoys that
indicated that an OUI check point was taking place, then were directed to a
dock by rangers and wardens in boats and on personal watercraft. Boaters
were also advised that this action was part of a DART effort to reduce the
number of accidents and drownings that occur in the park. During the
operation, 274 vessels with 963 people onboard went through the check point.
Vessel operators were first checked for alcohol consumption; if they appeared
to be unimpaired, then a safety inspection was performed on the vessel. No
verbal warnings were given for several violations - failure to have the
proper number of and properly sized personal flotation devices (PFDs),
failure to have a type IV throwable PFD aboard, missing fire extinguishers,
and registration violations. A total of 46 citations and 36 warnings for
other violations were issued. Children who were found to be wearing PFDs
were given T-shirts and other goodies. Those operators who appeared impaired
were given a field sobriety test and a preliminary breath test. Three
operators were taken into custody, two for OUI and one for a felony warrant.
Once arrested, they were taken aboard a Forever Resorts houseboat which
served as the incident command post and booking area, complete with an
Intoxilyzer 5000 for breath tests. [Paul Crawford, SPR, Boulder Basin
District, LAME, 8/6]
Wednesday, August 25, 1999
99-516 - Lake Mead NRA (NV/AZ) - Drowning
The park received a report of a drowning at South Beach at Boulder Swim Beach
at 2:55 p.m. on the afternoon of August 22nd. Ranger Tom McDermott was on
scene within minutes; he took of his shirt, shoes, duty belt and body armor,
donned a mask, fins and snorkel, and swam out 50 feet to the victim. He
found F.R., 31, of Los Angeles, in eight feet of water at 2:59
p.m. and brought him to shore. McDermott and rangers Paul Crawford and Randy
Neal began CPR and advanced life support. F.R. was taken by park ambulance
to a medivac helicopter, then flown to a hospital in Henderson. He was
pronounced dead just before 4 p.m. Family members who were interviewed said
that F.R. had consumed a large meal and two beers before he went swimming,
and that he was swimming and talking with friends and family when he began
having trouble, went underwater, resurfaced, then disappeared. His death was
the 20th fatality in the park this year. [Paul Crawford, SPR, Boulder Basin
District, LAME, 8/23]
Friday, November 5, 1999
99-657 - Systemwide - Special Event: Millennium 2000
Parks throughout the system are making preparations for millennium-related
events which will take place on or around New Years Eve. The Morning Report
will provide continuing updates on those preparations and on the activities
themselves as they occur. Today's initial entry comes from Jerry McCarthy in
Pacific West Region:
o Mojave NP/Death Valley NP/Joshua Tree NP/Lake Mead NRA (CA/NV) - Staff
from the four parks will meet in December to prepare a desert
contingency plan. All are expecting heavy visitation, particularly
Lake Mead, which will receive spillover from Las Vegas. Plans
presently call for having all law enforcement staff on duty for the
event.
Parks making similar preparations are encouraged to submit short summaries to
the Morning Report. [Editor]
Wednesday, December 1, 1999
99-710 - Lake Mead NRA (AZ/NV) - Suicide
Ranger Robert Moelder was called to Lake Mead Marina on the afternoon
of November 27th to investigate a possible instance of attempted
credit card fraud. As he approached the suspect's vessel, he heard an
apparent gunshot and found the man slumped over. Medical personnel
were summoned and declared him dead. All evidence indicates that he
committed suicide by a single gunshot to his head. His identification
appears to be fictitious. The investigation continues. [Terri Greene,
Dispatch, LAME, 11/28]
Tuesday, January 11, 2000
99-771 - Lake Mead NRA (AZ/NV) - Assault; Pursuit; MVA
Ranger Robert Moelder ran a registration check on a pickup truck with New
Mexico plates near Hemenway on the afternoon of December 31st. The check
came back with an NCIC hit for a runaway juvenile female. Moelder and
ranger Jeff Goad stopped the pickup on Lakeshore Drive. They found that
the truck was being driven by J.E., 22, of Roswell, New Mexico,
and that his companion fit the description of the 15-year-old runaway.
During the stop, J.E. started the truck and took off, with Moelder,
Goad and ranger Brian Cooperider in pursuit. Ranger Paul Crawford joined
in and ended up immediately behind J.E.'s truck as he headed down U.S.
93 toward Hoover Dam. J.E. drove recklessly while approaching the dam,
passing wildly on the narrow, winding, two-lane road and passing on blind
corners. Crawford slowed the pursuit and had dispatch advise Hoover Dam
police to stop traffic. J.E. continued on, driving up to 80 mph and
passing on the shoulder. Ranger Bill Sherman and a Bureau of Reclamation
helicopter jointed the pursuit. Ranger Chuck Hahn placed "stop sticks' on
the highway, deflating and disintegrating the truck's right front tire,
but J.E. continued on the steel wheel, still reaching speeds as high as
70 mph. A county deputy placed more "stop sticks" on the road; J.E.
aimed his vehicle at him, but the deputy was able to get out of the way.
This time, the front left and right rear tires were deflated. J.E.
pressed on, speed undiminished, but began to lose control of the truck. By
this time, he was on a four-lane, divided highway. He veered sharply to
his left; the truck crossed the median and rolled over several times
before coming to rest on its roof. Both J.E. and his passenger were
wearing seatbelts but were initially unresponsive. When rangers went to
assist him, he became combative and shouted at them to kill him. Both were
removed from the vehicle and treated for non-life-threatening injuries.
J.E. will be charged with one count of felony flight and with the
attempted murder of a police officer. [Dale Antonich, CR, LAME, 1/3]
Thursday, March 9, 2000
00-084 - Lake Mead NRA (NV/AZ) - Apparent Carbon Monoxide Fatality
On the morning of March 8th, the campground host at Boulder Beach told
a maintenance worker that she hadn't seen any activity in one of the
sites at the campground for several days. The body of T.B.,
61, was found in his tent, along with the remnants of a charcoal fire.
Carbon monoxide poisoning is the suspected cause of death. [Jodi
Wilson, Dispatch, LAME, 3/8]
Wednesday, May 3, 2000
00-180 - Lake Mead NRA (NV/AZ) - PWC Accident with Fatality
B.G., 20, was operating his personal watercraft on Las Vegas Bay late
on the afternoon of April 2nd when he fell off. Friends picked him up
and took him to a medical facility in Las Vegas. He was then transferred
to a city hospital, where he expired. The cause of death is not known.
[Dispatch, LAME, 4/22]
Wednesday, May 3, 2000
00-181 - Lake Mead NRA (NV/AZ) - Drowning
R.W., 14, was rafting on the lake with his mother on the afternoon of
April 21st. The raft's oar blew overboard and R.W. dove in to retrieve
it. High winds blew the raft away from the boy. R.W.'s mother called 911
on her cell phone to report the incident. Rangers responded and were
taken to the boy's last known location. They were unable to find him and
eventually had to call off the search because of darkness. The search
resumed the following day. R.W.'s body was found in 24 feet of water off
South Beach. [Dispatch, LAME, 4/23]
Wednesday, May 24, 2000
00-219 - Lake Mead NRA (NV/AZ) - Diving Fatality
J.C., 22, dove off a cliff on Middle Boulder Island into the lake
on the afternoon of May 22nd. The water at this location was shallow,
though, and he hit bottom. Bystanders called 911 on a cellular phone;
the park was notified by local fire and rescue departments. J.C. was
flown to a trauma center in Las Vegas, where he was pronounced dead on
arrival. [Dispatch, LAME, 5/22]
Wednesday, May 31, 2000
00-236 - Lake Mead NRA (NV/AZ) - Drowning
E.M., 17, was swimming in Government Wash with some friends on
the afternoon of Monday, May 29th. E.M., who was not a good swimmer,
disappeared under the water. Park and Nevada Division of Wildlife
personnel searched for him in the lake and found him about 20 feet off
shore. He was flown by helicopter to a hospital in Las Vegas, where he
was pronounced dead. [Dispatch, LAME, 5/30]
Thursday, June 1, 2000
00-236 - Lake Mead NRA (NV/AZ) - Follow-up on Drowning
E.M., 17, who drowned in the lake at Government Wash on May
30th, was one of three teenagers swimming at that location. A second
17-year-old nearly drowned in his efforts to rescue E.M. and
required treatment at the hospital in Las Vegas. He was found to have
a blood alcohol level of .238 and had also been smoking marijuana.
Investigator Gary Sebade is attempting to find out who purchased the
alcohol for the teens. [Paul Crawford, SPR, Boulder Basin District,
LAME, 5/31]
Friday, June 9, 2000
00-267 - Lake Mead NRA (NV/AZ) - Suicide
A park visitor found the body of a 32-year-old man floating about two
miles offshore from South Swim Beach on the morning of June 5th. The
victim was identified as a person reported missing from the Boulder
Beach Campground on May 31st. The cause of death has been ruled as
suicide. This was the park's twelfth fatality this year. [Dispatch,
LAME, 6/5)
Tuesday, June 27, 2000
00-318 - Lake Mead NRA (NV/AZ) - Arson
The interior of an entrance station under construction and about 80%
complete was burned in an arson fire at 4 a.m. on Sunday, June 18th.
The building is located on East Lake Mead Boulevard. It appears that
entry was gained by prying open the door, and that the fire was set in
a box housing the air conditioning unit. All the sheet rock, the
electrical work and the air conditioning unit will have to be
replaced. The fire is under investigation by park and county
investigators and ATF agents. The station is isolated and on a road
that local gangs use to come to the lake. [Dale Antonich, CR, LAME,
6/19]
Wednesday, June 28, 2000
00-322 - Lake Mead NRA (NV/AZ) - Fatality; Overdose
J.N., 37, and several friends went to Boxcar Cove on July 24th
to jet ski. His companions report that he was on the water all day,
that he'd been drinking heavily, and that he was taking prescription
pain pills in the evening. When his friends went to bed, he was still
up and "partying." When they checked on him in his tent the next
morning, they found that he had died. The death has been ruled an
overdose. [Cate Cleary, Dispatch, LAME, 6/27]
Saturday, July 1, 2000
00-342 - Lake Mead NRA (NV/AZ) - Property Recovery
On April 4th, ten Bendix King radios from Lake Mead NRA were recovered
during the execution of a federal search warrant at Maverick
Communications in Commerce City, Colorado. The owner of Maverick
Communications, J.M., had been in possession of the radios
for six months, and had refused to respond to all inquiries about
their status or requests to return them. J.M. has a history of
questionable business practices, and several other law enforcement
agencies, including the U. S. Marshals Service, have had trouble
recovering their radios from him. If you have had any business
dealings with J.M. or he is in possession of any of your radios,
please contact SA Susan Morton in Denver at 303-969-2862. [Susan
Morton, SA, IMRO, 6/30]
Friday, August 4, 2000
00-446 - Lake Mead NRA (NV/AZ) - Death of NPS Firefighter
A 29-year-old seasonal park firefighter died of injuries sustained in
a helicopter crash while working on the Charlie Fire in northern
Nevada yesterday evening. The incident occurred when the helicopter
was taking off. Two others were injured in the crash. The name is not
being released pending notification of next of kin. Further
information will appear in the Morning Report as soon as it is
available. [Dale Antonich, CR, LAME, 8/3; Tim Simonds, LAME, 8/4]
Monday, August 7, 2000
00-458 - Lake Mead NRA/Grand Canyon NP (AZ) - Aircraft Accident
On July 22nd, Lake Mead NRA rangers Thane Weigand and Marc Burt and
Grand Canyon NP ranger Chris Mengel responded to a report of an
aircraft emergency landing near Pearce Ferry. The twin-engine Piper
Navajo tour plane from Boulder City had lost one of its engines over
Grand Canyon. The pilot attempted to fly to emergency landing strips
in the area, but the plane continued to lose altitude over the next 40
miles of travel and he was unable to climb to the altitude of any of
those strips. He therefore landed on a beach across from the South
Cove launch ramp. Neither the pilot nor any of his nine passengers was
injured. The aircraft will be removed in a salvage operation. [Thane
Weigand, IC, LAME, 8/4]
Monday, August 7, 2000
00-459 - Lake Mead NRA (NV/AZ) - Death of Employee
Park firefighter Phillip "Pip" Conner died on Thursday, August 3rd,
when the helicopter he was riding in crashed while taking off from a
fire helibase. Phil was a member of the Las Vegas Interagency Helitak
Team, which had been assigned to the Charley Complex near Wells,
Nevada. He was a four-year veteran of the park's wildland fire crew.
Funeral services will be held at noon on Tuesday, August 8th, at
Central Christian Church, 1001 New Beginnings Road in Henderson.
Internment will take place at Veterans Cemetery in Boulder City
between 1:30 and 2:00 p.m. the same day. Uniformed NPS employees are
to wear their Class A winter uniforms. A viewing will be held tonight
between 6:00 and 8:00 p.m. at Davis Mortuary, 2127 West Charleston,
Las Vegas. The family suggests that donations be made in lieu of
flowers to either Central Christian Church Youth and Scholarship for
Camp and Missions (1001 New Beginnings Road, Henderson, NV 89015) or
the Lake Mead NRA Emergency Services Donation Account (Lake Mead NRA,
601 Nevada Highway, Boulder City, NV 89005). Condolences may be sent
to his mother, C.C. CISD teams are assisting employees, family and
others as needed. [Public Affairs, LAME, 8/7]
Wednesday, August 9, 2000
00-459 - Lake Mead NRA (NV/AZ) - Follow-up on Death of Employee
Funeral services were held yesterday for firefighter Phillip "Pip"
Conner at the Central Christian Church in Henderson, Nevada. More
than 550 family, friends and fellow workers attended the service. In
addition to National Park Service staff from all divisions at Lake
Mead NRA, the services were attended by NPS staff from Mojave National
Preserve and Death Valley National Park and representatives from BLM,
USFS, the Nevada Division of Forestry, five local fire departments,
police departments and the Nevada State Patrol. Regional Director
John Reynolds represented the director. An honor guard from the Clark
County Fire Department, including a bagpiper, was present for the
presentation of the flag. Friends and family shared stories of "Pip" -
he was remembered for his love for flying, helicopters and fighting
fire, and for his big smile and "can do" attitude. A mile-and-a-half
long motorcade comprised of fire trucks and other apparatus from the
NPS, BLM, USFS and local fire departments, park law enforcement
vehicles, and other vehicles escorted the family and casket for the 15
miles from the church to Veteran's Cemetery in Boulder City. The
service there included presentation of flags and a flyover by a Flight
For Life helicopter. The support offered by national, state and
federal agencies in honoring Phillip Conner was overwhelming. Park
staff extend their appreciation to everyone. [Katherine Rohde, LAME,
8/8]
Wednesday, August 16, 2000
00-491 - Lake Mead NRA (NV/AZ) - MVA with Two Fatalities
On August 14th, C.D., 41, was attempting to pull out a
vehicle with his jeep when the tow rope snapped and the jeep plunged
down a 40- to 50-foot embankment, landing upside down in about 25 feet
of water. Rangers were called in. They found a four-year-old boy who
had been ejected from the jeep into the water and learned that C.D.
and another child - B.D., age two - were still in the vehicle.
Divers were called in and found the bodies of C.D. and B.D.
inside the jeep. An investigation is underway. [Dispatch, LAME,
8/14]
Tuesday, September 12, 2000
00-575 - Lake Mead NRA (NV/AZ) - Fatality
A couple driving down Burro Wash Road on the afternoon of September
10th found a body in a wash and reported their findings to the Boulder
City Police Department. They in turn notified the park. The couple led
ranger Paul Crawford and a BCPD officer to the scene, where they found
the body of D.H., 25, of Boulder City. D.H. was wanted by
police for the attempted murder of his mother on September 5th. He had
beaten her with his fists, a toaster and a gun. D.H. has a history of
mental illness and contacts with/arrests by rangers and local officers
and was not taking his medication at the time of the incident.
Preliminary investigation indicates no foul play. It appears that he
wandered in the desert and fell victim to the heat and lack of food
and water. He was about six miles south of Boulder City. The final
cause of death will be determined by autopsy. [Paul G. Crawford, SPR,
Boulder Basin District, LAME, 9/11]
Wednesday, October 4, 2000
00-629 - Lake Mead NRA (NV/AZ) - Attempted Suicide; Life Saved
On the afternoon of October 2nd, the nearby Henderson Police
Department broadcast a notice to attempt to locate a 55-year-old
bipolar woman who was despondent over the death of her father. The
woman was also reported to have recently lost her job and to have left
a note with her husband saying that she intended to harm herself.
Rangers Joe Hayes and Paul Crawford were on an ALS call in Callville
Bay when an area volunteer reported spotting a vehicle in the Las
Vegas Bay parking area that matched the description of the one the
woman was driving. The rangers responded and found the woman inside.
She was alert and oriented, but admitted that she'd taken 20
Cloanazpam and 20 Carbamazepine pills. She said she'd taken the drugs
four hours earlier and was disappointed that they were taking so long
to work. Crawford summoned a Henderson rescue unit and had dispatch
check with Las Vegas Poison Control. They advised that the doses were
lethal and that onset would be indicated by sleepiness. Hayes kept her
talking and monitored her vitals. She didn't become sleepy until the
rescue unit arrived on scene. She was taken to a hospital in Henderson
and treated for the overdose. [Paul Crawford, SPR, Boulder Basin
District, LAME, 10/3]
Tuesday, October 24, 2000
00-664 - Lake Mead NRA (NV/AZ) - Drug Arrest
On the morning of October 14th, rangers at Katherine Landing checked
out a trespassing complaint at a vacation trailer site in the trailer
village. They came upon a man who had been evicted from the trailer
two weeks earlier at the owner's requests. He was arrested. Further
investigation led to the discovery of signs that the trailer had been
used to manufacture methamphetamine. Local narcotics officers were
called in to help with the investigation and dismantle the lab.
Further investigation indicated that the man was renting out the
trailer to a known local drug dealer so he could manufacture drugs.
Rangers and local officers gathered sufficient information to seek
arrest warrants for several local drug dealers and determined the
location of two more labs in the Bullhead City area. The investigation
continues. [Ralph Patterson, DR, LAME, 10/19]
Tuesday, November 14, 2000
00-694 - Lake Mead NRA (NV/AZ) - Armed Robbery; Arrest
The Silver State Bank in Boulder City was robbed of $1,000 in cash by
an armed man at 2:40 p.m. on the afternoon of November 8th. The robber
escaped in a brown Mazda RS-7 and was last seen heading toward Hoover
Dam and the park. A description was broadcast to all officers and
rangers in the area just after 3 p.m. Ranger Robert Moelder reported
that he'd seen the man about 30 minutes before at the Hacienda Hotel
and Casino, a private inholding within the park. He relocated the
Mazda at 3:11 p.m. in the Hacienda's parking lot. Moelder was joined
by rangers Bill Sherman and Tom Valenta and special agent Mike
Blandford. They watched the hotel while Boulder City officers walked
through the building in an effort to flush the robber. At 3:50 p.m.,
Moelder saw the man leave the hotel on the west side, circle around
the hotel toward the east side, cross Highway 93, and appear to make a
phone call at a gas station. As he was leaving the gas station, he
spotted Sherman's unmarked vehicle and began to run from him. Rangers
and officers responded. The man jumped a fence and ran down an
embankment directly in the path of Valenta's patrol car. Valenta
braked but hit the man, who fell, then got up and continued running.
Valenta got out of his cruiser, drew his weapon, and ordered the man
to stop. Blandford at the same time pulled his vehicle into the man's
path. The man stopped and surrendered. District ranger Steve Drolet
assisted in the capture. Most of the stolen money has been recovered,
but the gun has not yet been found. The man had evidently called in a
bomb threat to Boulder City Hall, then robbed the bank when all the
city's police units were at that location. Boulder City police and FBI
agents are continuing the investigation. [Dale Antonich, CR, LAME,
11/9]
Wednesday, December 27, 2000
00-770 - Lake Mead NRA (NV/AZ) - Attempted Suicide; Life Saved
Visitors Jean Henry and Clark Ross came upon a man hanging from a tree
while they were hiking on the Gold Strike trail on Christmas Day. They
freed the man, a 58-year-old Boulder City resident; Ross began CPR
while Henry returned to the trailhead and summoned help. Rangers Wes
Houk and Paul Crawford arrived and found that the man was breathing on
his own but was unconscious and unresponsive. ALS was accordingly
begun. Within about 10 minutes, the man became conscious and
combative. Over the next two hours, he continued to fight with Houk,
Crawford and ranger Joe Hayes, repeatedly taking off his oxygen mask
and pulling out his IV line. He was finally restrained on a backboard
with the assistance of members of the Las Vegas PD SAR team, then
taken to the Alan Bible VC, picked up by a Flight for Life helicopter,
and taken to the UMC Trauma Center in Las Vegas. During the incident,
the rangers learned that the man was an alcoholic, that he was
suffering from a brain tumor, and that he had made several suicide
attempts in this past. In this attempt, he had tied the arms of his
jacket around a branch, put his head through the loop made by the
jacket arms, twisted the jacket until it was tight around his neck,
then bent his legs at the knees in an effort to hang himself. [Paul
Crawford, SPR, Boulder Basin District, LAME, 12/25]
Thursday, January 4, 2001
01-002 - Lake Mead NRA (NV/AZ) - Attempted Arson
Someone attempted to firebomb the park's ranger/resource operations
building, location of a round-the-clock interagency communications
center, around 5 a.m. on January 3rd. Some hate type graffiti was
painted on the back street wall of the operations building, and an
accelerant of unknown type was tossed against a nearby tree adjacent
to the building, setting it on fire. Another device was thrown through
a window, but went out before setting the building on fire. A third
device was thrown at one of the dispatcher's vehicles in the parking
lot. This device also failed to go off. ATF has taken over the
investigation of the case, and has a substantial amount of evidence to
work with. There were also six other identical attempted starts on
parked vehicles in Boulder City - none were as radical, none with
associated hate graffiti. ATF feels that the park building was the
main target, and that the other attempts were diversions. Rangers and
Boulder City police are assisting in the investigation. [Bruce Lennon,
LAME, 1/3]
Monday, January 22, 2001
01-002 - Lake Mead NRA (NV/AZ) - Follow-up: Second Attempted Arson
For the second time in three weeks, the ranger/resources office, home
of the park's 24-hour dispatch center, has been hit by an arsonist.
Boulder City FD received a report of a fire at that location at 8:45
p.m. on January 18th. A quick investigation of the scene was conducted
by NPS fire and law enforcement personnel before the fire was
suppressed; although no evidence was found, the strong odor of an
accelerant was detected. Samples were taken and will be sent to ATF
for correlation with those taken in the previous incident. An Eagle
Scout in the chief ranger's Boy Scout troop subsequently reported that
he'd given a friend a ride that evening, and that she had told him
that her boyfriend had been talking with two friend about the fire.
She got scared and left and was walking home when he picked her up.
The information supplied by the scout led to the arrest of one person
on unrelated warrants and follow-up reports on two others whose
families are "Constitutionalists" - a faction that doesn't recognize
federal authority in many arenas. The investigation continues. [Dale
Antonich, CR, DEVA, 1/19]
Thursday, February 22, 2001
01-061 - Lake Mead NRA (NV/AZ) - MVA with Fatality
On the afternoon of February 18th, a Boulder City police officer was
stopped in traffic on U.S. 93 that was backed up for seven miles due
to an accident on the dam when he was passed by a sedan traveling on
the shoulder at a high rate of speed. The officer pulled out from the
lane of stopped vehicles and attempted to stop the car. The driver,
later identified as R.M., 32, of Boulder City, stopped, then
took off again as the officer got out of his cruiser. The pursuit
continued and entered the park. The car struck the trailer of a
tractor-trailer rig and several other vehicles, which caused it to go
off the road and roll over. R.M. was ejected and killed instantly.
Her motive for fleeing is unknown. The Nevada Highway Patrol is
investigating. [Paul Crawford, Acting DR, Boulder Basin District,
LAME, 2/19]
Wednesday, April 4, 2001
01-030 - Lake Mead NRA (NV/AZ) - Suicide
A body was found at Nelson's Landing in Eldorado Canyon around 8:30
p.m. on April 2nd. The 47-year-old man died from a gunshot wound to
the head. The death has been ruled a suicide. [Bert Byers, Dispatch,
LAME, 4/3]
Tuesday, April 10, 2001
01-038 - Lake Mead NRA (NV/AZ) - Fatal PWC Accident
T.M., 19, was jet-skiing in Chili Pepper Cover with a friend
on the afternoon of Monday, April 9th. They both tried to jump the
wake of a boat and collided head-on. T.M. was killed in the
accident. [Cate Clary, Dispatch, LAME, 4/10]
Thursday, April 12, 2001
01-045 - Lake Mead NRA (NV/AZ) - Boating Accident with Fatality
Four people on a boat in Placer Cove were dumped into the lake on the
evening of April 7th when their boat overturned. Three survived, but
the fourth - D.H., 25 - drowned. His body was found
mid-channel. D.H. was wearing a life jacket. [Dispatch, LAME,
4/11]
Thursday, April 12, 2001
01-046 - Lake Mead NRA (NV/AZ) - Fatality
On the evening of April 10th, the Clark County Fire Department
notified the park of a possible suicide at a trailer in a remote
mining camp in the park called Capitol Camp. Ranger Wilford Lopez and
criminal investigator Mike Blandford investigated and determined that
there had been an extended an on-going conflict between the victim -
E.E., 85 - and a neighbor. Due to the suspicious nature of
E.E.'s death, Las Vegas Metro PD investigators were summoned. The
coroner has not yet released a report on the cause of death.
[Dispatch, LAME, 4/11]
Wednesday, April 25, 2001
01-167 - Lake Mead NRA (NV/AZ) - Pursuit; Kidnapping; Attempted Murder
On the morning of April 21st, Henderson PD officers pursued a vehicle
into the park and south down Lakeshore Drive. The driver, J.P.,
25, was wanted for a carjacking that had occurred earlier in
the day in their city. The incident began when J.P. was riding in
a taxi to the Las Vegas airport. He began acting strangely, causing
the driver to become alarmed and seek assistance upon arrival at the
airport. J.P. fled from the taxi and jumped into another cab and
took off. A 54-year-old woman from Baltimore who was in the cab jumped
from the taxi and was seriously injured. She has not yet regained
consciousness. J.P. crashed the taxi into a Chevy Blazer in
Henderson; when the Blazer's driver got out to examine the damage,
J.P. got into the vehicle and fled. The park was advised as the
pursuit neared Lake Mead. Ranger Brian Cooperider was at home when he
heard the alert broadcast and drove his cruiser to the intersection of
Lakeshore Drive and Lake Mead Marina. He laid out stop sticks in the
southbound lane shoulder to deflate the Blazer's tires, with his
cruiser across the northbound lane. At this part of the intersection,
the northbound and southbound lanes are separated by a median strip
with concrete curbs. J.P. approached the intersection at a high
rate of speed, then slowed dramatically when he saw Cooperider's
cruiser. The Blazer crossed the median and headed for Cooperider, who
was pulling the stop sticks across the road as the vehicle headed
toward him. The Blazer hit the patrol vehicle on its left side, but
Cooperider was not injured. He was able to clear the roadway so that
pursuing vehicles could get through; he attempted to join the chase,
but found that his vehicle was partially disabled. J.P. continued
out of the park and into Boulder City, where he struck another police
car. J.P. then headed back to Las Vegas. A roadblock was set-up on
US-95/I-515 south of Flamingo Road by Nevada Highway Patrol trooper
Bobby Kintzel. When J.P. came upon it, he aimed the Blazer at
Kintzel and crushed him against the side of his cruiser. Kintzel
suffered a fractured skull, broken pelvis, broken right leg, and
severe internal bleeding. At the time of the report, he was in the ICU
and still unconscious. J.P. was finally forced off the road and
arrested. During his run through the park, he also sideswiped a
vehicle operated by Y.P., 40, of North Las Vegas, forcing
her into an embankment. She was not injured. Las Vegas Metro PD is
handling the investigation. J.P. has been charged with one count
of attempted murder of a police officer, two counts of robbery, and
one count of kidnapping. The charges may be amended to include the
attempt on Cooperider; federal charges may also be filed. [Paul
Crawford, SPR, LAME, 4/23]
Thursday, June 28, 2001
01-314 - Lake Mead NRA (NV/AZ) - Drowning
A family of four were boating on Lake Mohave at Chili Pepper Cove on
the afternoon of June 25th when one of the children fell off an
inflatable raft that was being pulled behind the boat. R.G.,
44, the boy's father, jumped into the water to rescue his son. He got
the boy close to the boat, then, realizing that he was pulling the boy
under, pushed him toward the boat, saying "I'm drowning." R.G., who
was not wearing a life jacket, went under and did not resurface.
Efforts to find him continue; yesterday marked the third day of diving
operations. [Dispatch, LAME, 6/27]
Thursday, July 19, 2001
01-365 - Lake Mead NRA (NV/AZ) - Pursuit
Early on the evening of July 12th, an 18-wheel tractor-trailer moving
van was the subject of a pursuit from Henderson through Boulder City
and into the park. The driver, who was later found to be driving under
the influence, had fled from officers. During the pursuit, he had
forced vehicles off the road with his rig and collided with other
vehicles at road intersections. Hoover Dam PD officers put out road
spikes and were able to flatten some of the tries on the truck and
trailer. The rig was blocked and disabled on the Arizona side of the
dam with the aid of another tractor-trailer. Rangers assisted in the
containment of the area around the truck, as the driver had locked
himself in and refused to get out. Regional SET members from Lake Mead
were notified and deployed immediately from several remote locations
to support local officers. The driver was talked into getting out of
the truck, however, by an offer of a "cold Coke." He was arrested on
several charges, including DUI. [Dale Antonich, CR, DEVA, 7/18]
Tuesday, July 24, 2001
01-389 - Lake Mead NRA (NV/AZ) - MVA with Fatality
K.R., 33, died of injuries sustained in a motorcycle
accident on Lake Mead Drive late on the evening of July 9th. He was
found down an embankment at mile 8 and flown to the UMC Trauma Center,
where he later passed away. [Dispatch, LAME, 7/10]
Monday, July 30, 2001
01-389 - Lake Mead NRA (NV/AZ) - Fatality
On July 28th, M.G., 48, was killed when he was run over by
a boat trailer at Government Wash. M.G. had been riding on the
trailer hitch between the trailer and the truck; when the truck
stopped, M.G. fell off, then was run over. [Dispatch, LAME, 7/28]
Monday, August 20, 2001
01-458 - Lake Mead NRA (NV/AZ) - Drowning
On the afternoon of August 19th, a boat pulled in to the launch ramp
at Katherine's Landing with a drowning victim on board. CPR was in
progress on J.M., 48, and was taken over by rangers. Bullhead
City Rescue transported J.M. to the Western Regional Medical Center,
where he was pronounced dead shortly thereafter. [Rosemary Greer,
Dispatch, LAME, 8/19]
Thursday, August 23, 2001
01-463 - Lake Mead NRA (NV/AZ) - Suicide
The park received a request to make a welfare check on a 41-year-old
man living in a trailer at Lake Shore Trailer Village when he failed
to turn up for work. Boulder Beach rangers discovered that he had died
from an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound. This was the park's
thirteenth fatality this year. [Sarah Alonso, Dispatch, LAME, 8/22]
Friday, September 14, 2001
01-509 - Servicewide - Follow-up: Terrorist Attacks
Further updates have been received on the status of NPS areas and/or
staff responses to Tuesday's terrorist attacks:
o Lake Mead NRA (NV/AZ) - Hoover Dam is open to passenger cars
only and closed to trucks and motor homes.
Other closures and operations are essentially as noted yesterday.
[Russ Wilson, GATE/SHU, 9/12; Clayton Jordan, IC, Type 3 IMT, SHEN,
9/13; Karl Merchant, Plans, Type 2 IMT, NERO, 9/13]
Wednesday, September 19, 2001
01-509 - Servicewide - Follow-up: Terrorist Attacks
[Pat Buccello, CISM Team, STLI, 9/19; Dennis McGinnis, Type 1 IMT,
WASO, 9/19; Sue Masica, Administration, WASO, 9/19; SHEN EICC, 9/18]
The following changes in the status of National Park Service areas and
offices were reported yesterday:
o Lake Mead NRA (NV/AZ) - Launch ramps below Hoover Dam and the
lake immediately above the dam are closed. The dam itself is
open to passenger cars, but closed to trucks and recreational
vehicles. Davis Dam is closed.
Wednesday, September 26, 2001
01-509 - Servicewide - Follow-up: Terrorist Attacks
The National Park Service continues to provide support to its parks
and employees, gather information on the status of field areas for
DOI, and deal with security issues throughout the country, including
the brokering of numerous requests for operational support. Incident
management in Washington has transitioned from Skip Brooks' Type 1
team to Eddie Lopez's Type 1 team. A regional Type 2 team from
Southeast Region (Bob Panko, IC) continues to oversee the NPS expanded
dispatch operation at Shenandoah NP.
Members of the team in Washington are in the processing of making
individual calls to every park in the nation to establish a
comprehensive list of resources that can be utilized in emergencies if
needed. About 230 calls have been made so far; more will follow this
week. Callers are focusing on resources similar to those needed in
past incidents, such as the floods in Yosemite and Hurricane Andrew. A
report is due to Director Mainella by Friday.
The following is a quick run down of continuing closures:
o Hoover Dam at Lake Mead NRA is closed to truck traffic. The
visitor center and boat ramps above and below the dam are
closed.
[EICC/Type 2 IMT, SHEN, 9/25; Kris Fister, NPS Type 1 IMT, WASO, 9/26]
Wednesday, September 26, 2001
01-526 - Lake Mead NRA (NV/AZ) - Drowning
A.I., 38, of Las Vegas was swimming in an area adjacent to
Las Vegas Wash with two of his sons late on the afternoon of September
24th when he disappeared (the exact circumstances are unknown). The
sons were rescued by visitors in the area. Divers are attempting to
find and recover the body. [Cate Clary, Dispatch, LAME, 9/25]
Friday, September 28, 2001
01-509 - Servicewide - Follow-up: Terrorist Attacks
The National Park Service continues to provide support to its parks
and employees, gather information on the status of field areas for
DOI, and deal with security issues throughout the country, including
the brokering of numerous requests for operational support. The
Service's Type 1 IMT (Eddie Lopez, IC) continues its operations from
the South Interior Building; the Type 2 East Team (Bob Panko, IC) is
overseeing the NPS expanded dispatch operation at Shenandoah NP.
Here's a current report on the status of parks affected by this
incident:
o Lake Mead - The dam access road is open to cars, vehicles
towing small boats and personal watercraft, pickup trucks with
bed-mounted campers, and some local businesses with permits,
but is closed to other vehicles. The Bureau of Reclamation VC
is closed, but the park visitor center is open. Tours of the
dam have been suspended.
[EICC/Type 2 IMT, SHEN, 9/27; Kris Fister, NPS Type 1 IMT, WASO, 9/28;
Pat Buccello, CISM Team, 9/28; Billy Garrett, Superintendent, Jamaica
Bay Unit, GATE, 9/27]
Friday, September 28, 2001
01-529 - Lake Mead NRA (NV/AZ) - Search and Rescue
On the evening of September 9th, dispatch received a 911 phone call
reporting that a hiker was missing and overdue from a hike in Gold
Strike Canyon. Ranger Jeff Goad obtained sufficient information from
the reporting party to develop an operational plan. An incident
command post was established at the trailhead and search teams -
comprised of personnel from other park districts and divisions and
from other agencies - began searching for him. At 3:30 a.m., a search
team from the park's fire management office found the man on a steep
talus slope in the second highest probability area. Seven firefighters
and rangers, including park medic Beth Meyers, treated the man, who
was severely dehydrated and unable to walk. He was transported back to
the trailhead at 8 a.m. Temperatures within Gold Strike Canyon
routinely exceed 100 degrees. The high temperatures and the presence
of numerous electrical towers made it impossible to use helicopters
and infrared search devices. [B. Shott, IC, LAME, 9/24]
Friday, September 28, 2001
01-530 - Lake Mead NRA (NV/AZ) - High Speed Pursuit
Boulder District rangers were involved in a high-speed pursuit at 11
p.m. on September 13th that ended up in a single-car collision. The
pursuit began after a call was received that a black BMW had been
rammed by a white Ford sedan near the park's visitor center. The two
vehicles then traveled south on Highway 95, speeding past a manned
checkpoint that had recently been established to provide increased
security for Hoover Dam. The pursuit continued until the Ford hit a
rock wall near the dam. Rangers provided medical assistance, including
extrication from the heavily damaged vehicle. Since an ambulance was
not immediately available, the driver was transported in the back of a
patrol SUV to a helicopter LZ six miles away. The two car chase began
in Las Vegas, where the operator of the Ford was involved in a
burglary. [B. Shott, SPR, Boulder District, LAME, 9/24]
Monday, November 12, 2001
01-600 - Lake Mead NRA (NV/AZ) - Drowning
The W. family was unloading items from its vehicle in the parking
lot of the Callville Bay marina just before 11 p.m. on November 10th
when a member of their group, six-year-old A.L., walked off.
Family members and local security guards looked for her for 15
minutes, then called dispatch and reported her missing. Rangers were
notified and an extensive search ensued. She was found in the water a
half hour after midnight. CPR was begun and she was taken to the
University Medical Center in Las Vegas via Mercy Air Medivac. Doctors
there pronounced her dead. An investigation is underway. [Cate Clary,
Dispatch, LAME, 11/11]
Wednesday, November 14, 2001
01-605 - Lake Mead NRA (NV/AZ) - MVA with Fatality
G.G., 54, was heading down Lakeshore Road near 33 Hole around
10:30 p.m. on November 12th when his car went off the road and rolled
over. Gannon was thrown from the vehicle and killed. The cause of the
accident is under investigation. [Cate Clary, Dispatch, LAME, 11/13]
Thursday, January 10, 2002
02-006 - Lake Mead NRA (NV/AZ) - MVA with Two Fatalities
An Arizona state police officer came upon a single vehicle rollover accident
on the Temple Bar access road at 6:30 a.m. on January 9th. Park rangers
responded and investigated. J.F., 51, and R.M.T.-R., 39,
were both killed in the accident, which evidently occurred just after midnight.
Alcohol may have been a contributing factor. [Jodi Wilson, Dispatch, LAME,
1/9]
Wednesday, April 10, 2002
02-097 - Lake Mead NRA (NV/AZ) - Bomb Threat
The concessioner at the Willow Beach store received a handwritten note on
April 8th, stating that a bomb would be placed in the store and everyone
would be killed. Rangers Chris Largent and Chuck Hahn investigated. They
found that the note had been sent from Newark, New Jersey, and that the
envelope had a Miami, Florida, return address. It was signed with the name
of a South American actress. Since these two cities had been linked to
bio-terrorism incidents, the rangers closed and locked the store. It
remained closed until investigator Paul Crawford arrived and determined
that it was safe to reopen the building. The investigation continues. [Dale
Antonich, CR, LAME, 4/8]
Tuesday, April 16, 2002
02-109 - Lake Mead NRA (NV/AZ) - Drowning
F.C., 54, was thrown from a boat in Calville Bay after it
hit another vessel's wake on the afternoon of Saturday, April 13th, and
subsequently slipped beneath the lake's surface. A search was begun, but
his body has not yet been found. [Tony DeVito, Dispatch, LAME, 4/14]
Friday, April 19, 2002
02-117 - Lake Mead NRA (NV/AZ) - Wind Storm; Rescue
On April 15th, the entire Lake Mead and Las Vegas area experienced
extremely high southerly winds. Blowing dust and sand reduced visibility
throughout the area. McCarran International Airport was closed for a period
of time, and a local major highway was closed due to zero visibility and a
multi-car accident. Sustained winds were in excess of 35 mph; the National
Weather Service in Las Vegas recorded gusts to 69 mph, and an unofficial
recording in the Las Vegas valley showed a gust that reached 91mph. The
water temperature in Lake Mead was approximately 58 degrees. Just before
11 a.m., park dispatch received a distress call on marine band radio from a
vessel sinking in the Virgin Basin of Lake Mead. The dispatcher advised all
parties to don life jackets. Radio contact with the vessel was subsequently
lost. Rangers out of the Boulder Basin and Echo Bay responded by boat,
encountering waves up to eight feet in height. The park airplane was
grounded due to the wind conditions, and local helicopters were also
unavailable. One patrol vessel was disabled during the search due to the
conditions. At noon, about an hour after the distress call was received,
rangers aboard a vessel in the Virgin Basin saw the bow of a sunken
houseboat as it crested on the waves and soon came upon and rescued three
people in the water. The rangers then learned that four other people were
unaccounted for. Two of them were found in the water and rescued. All five
were suffering from varying degrees of hypothermia. The remaining two
missing people were located on a nearby shore, but rangers were unable to
approach due to rough water and waves near shore. Rangers and a Nevada
Division of Wildlife warden on land attempted to reach the two survivors on
shore, but were hampered by the rugged and remote nature of the area. The
66th Air Rescue Squadron out of Nellis AFB dispatched a helicopter and
retrieved the pair. Two of the seven victims were transported to a local
hospital for treatment of hypothermia and near-drowning. [Kevin Hendricks,
ACR, LAME, 4/18]
Friday, April 19, 2002
02-118 - Lake Mead NRA (NV/AZ) - Structural Fire
A structural fire was reported in the Cottonwood Cove trailer village
around 8 a.m. on Saturday, April 12th. The one ranger located at Cottonwood
Cove responded and found that a single-wide trailer was on fire and in
"backdraft" condition. No information was available on whether or not the
trailer was occupied. Local concession employees and Clark County FD
volunteers from Searchlight, Nevada, assisted in attempting to suppress the
fire. The fire vented itself and was beginning to involve a large part of
the trailer when additional park staff arrived from as far away as 45 miles
and began an aggressive attack. There was extensive damage to the interior
of the trailer, but surrounding structures were successfully protected. It
turned out that the trailer was unoccupied. Preliminary investigation
indicates that the fire was caused by an electrical malfunction. [Kevin
Hendricks, ACR, LAME, 4/18]
Tuesday, April 23, 2002
02-117 - Lake Mead NRA (NV/AZ) - Follow-up on Wind Storm, Rescue
The windstorm that struck the park and surrounding area on April 15th
continued for two more days, with winds of 30 to 35 mph pushing up
four-foot waves on the lake. On the morning of April 17th, rangers
responded to a report of two overturned Hobie Cats near Sentinel Island in
Boulder Basin. The person making the report, who had barely made it to
shore, told rangers that he and two friends were racing when they saw their
friends' vessel flip. Rangers and aides-to-navigation personnel responded
in two boats, the "Major Powell," a 31-foot Bertram, and the "Lieutenant
Ives," a 47-foot retired Coast Guard buoy tender. One person was found in
open water near Black Island and taken to shore; the second person was
found near the Hobie Cat, which had notable damage to its mast. Both were
wearing wet suits and life jackets. [Billy Shott, LAME, 4/22]
Tuesday, April 23, 2002
02-223 - Lake Mead NRA (NV/AZ) - Drowning
On the afternoon of Saturday, April 13th, F.C. became the
first drowning victim and the fourth fatality of the year at Lake Mead when
he was ejected from his 27-foot vessel after hitting a wake while traveling
at a high rate of speed. Witnesses estimated F.C.'s speed at 50 to 60
mph. F.C. was last seen cartwheeling out of his boat within Calville
Bay. Both the National Park Service and Nevada Division of Wildlife began
an immediate search of the area. F.C.'s boat was recovered and was
found to have notable damage on the driver's side. There was no sign of
F.C. Search efforts are underway and will include shoreline,
surface, and underwater side scan sonar searches. [Billy Shott, LAME, 4/22]
Thursday, May 2, 2002
02-141 - Lake Mead NRA (NV/AZ) - Biker Gang Brawl with Fatalities and
Injuries
On Friday, April 26th, the park's special operations response team,
comprised of SET team members and rangers trained in special operations,
was dispatched to the 20th annual "River Run," a biker gathering held in
Laughlin, Nevada, and Bullhead City, Arizona - both near the park. Over
75,000 motorcycle riders participated, many of them from outlaw gangs with
wars in progress between them. The park aircraft was utilized for
observation purposes, as was a Bureau of Reclamation helicopter. Among the
gangs involved were the Hells Angels, Mongols and Vagos. The Lake Mead
team, comprised of ten rangers, was augmented by five more uniformed
rangers and rangers from Katherine. They staged out of Katherine's Landing,
where the Hells Angels had rented several houseboats. The team's mission
was to assist other agencies as needed. The park's fire engine crews were
also stationed at Katherine to provide assistance. During the early morning
hours of April 27th, a large number of Hells Angels went to the Harrah's
casino in Laughlin and confronted the Mongols. The confrontation turned
into a brawl with shootings and stabbings. All SWAT teams, local officers,
firefighters and EMS personnel responded; the park's team was asked to go
to Bullhead Hospital, where they provided protection for staff who were
treating injured and dying bikers. Word was out that many of the bikers
would continue to the hospital to finish-up what they'd started at the
casino. Three bikers died during the night, and another 14 were injured.
Rangers held their position at the hospital from 3 a.m. until relieved in
mid-morning. The casino was locked down and arrests were made, partly
through pictures taken from video cameras. Later that day, rangers and
firefighters were used to maintain a road closure on Davis Dam at the
request of the sheriffs of both of the involved counties. They also
maintained a closure down to Katherine's Landing. Later in the day, the
Hells Angels and Mongols were asked to leave the area, and most complied by
10 p.m. Laughlin was quiet and back to normal by 1 a.m. The success of the
operation was attributed in large part to the specialized training that
rangers had received. The ranger team came with a tactical command post, an
armored vehicle, and all the requisite training and equipment. Chief ranger
Dale Antonich had this to say: "I am very proud to have such professional
firefighters, investigators and rangers at Lake Mead. It took true teamwork
to pull this all off, and everyone on the staff performed as a team. The
situation was greatly hampered by the fact that many rangers are detailed
to the Hoover Dam operation or other operations, causing a severe impact on
staffing over this busy weekend." [Dale Antonich, CR, LAME, 5/1]
Monday, May 6, 2002
02-148 - Lake Mead NRA (NV/AZ) - Homicide
The body of 60-year-old G.R. was found in Meat Hole Cove just
after noon on May 2nd. The death has been classified as a murder. Las
Vegas Metro PD's homicide unit is investigating. No further information
is currently available. [Dispatch, LAME, 5/4]
Monday, May 6, 2002
02-149 - Lake Mead NRA (NV/AZ) - Suicide
The body of a 27-year-old man was found in Crawdad Cove in the Calville
Bay area on the afternoon of May 3rd. Death was from a self-inflicted
gunshot wound. No further information is available. [Dispatch, LAME,
5/4]
Friday, May 17, 2002
02-123 - Lake Mead NRA (NV/AZ) - Follow-up on Drowning
The remains of drowning victim F.C. were recovered from
Callville Bay on the morning of May 14th. His body, which was found on the
13th with a side scan sonar unit on contract to the NPS, was recovered from
a depth of 141 feet by contract and NPS divers. The autopsy report
indicates that he died from accidental drowning. F.C. had been
missing and presumed drowned since April 13th when witnesses saw him thrown
from his boat when he hit a wake at high speed. [Billy Shott, LAME, 5/15]
Wednesday, May 29, 2002
02-188 - Lake Mead NRA (NV/AZ) - Boat Accident with Fatality
On the afternoon of Monday, May 27th, eight-year-old B.J. was
knocked off a boat she was on when it was struck by another vessel, then
was hit by the boat's propeller when it backed up. Her parents pulled her
out of the water immediately. An NPS boating volunteer was on the scene
within moments and reported a possible fatality to dispatch. Ranger and
state wardens responded and confirmed that the girl had died. An
investigation is underway. Alcohol may have been a factor. This was the
eighth fatality to occur in the park so far this year. [Tammy Morris, LAME,
5/28]
Thursday, May 30, 2002
02-193 - Lake Mead NRA (NV/AZ) - Fatality
The body of an unidentified man was found at the lake's edge in the Boulder
Beach area on May 21st. The cause of death is not yet known. An
investigation by park special agents and Las Vegas PD detectives is
underway. [Scott Hinson, LAME, 5/21]
Monday, June 10, 2002
02-220 - Lake Mead NRA (NV/AZ) - Assault
On the morning of Saturday, May 25th, rangers received a call from an
individual who reported that he'd been assaulted the previous night and
that his assailant was still in the area. Rangers responded and met with
the victim, who had a black eye, a swollen cheek and a missing tooth. He
said that he and his 17-year-old son met the suspect while camping at
Boxcar Cove. The two men drank heavily before retiring; shortly
thereafter, he was attacked through the window of his vehicle while he
was in the midst of a fight with his son. The victim's son showed no
signs of trauma, but said that he and his father had raised their voices
and "smacked" each other prior to his father being attacked. The suspect
was contacted and identified. He said that he'd attacked the victim
after watching him beating his son. He was arrested and charged with
disorderly conduct. [Scott Hinson, SA, LAMR, 6/3]
Monday, June 10, 2002
02-221 - Lake Mead NRA (NV/AZ) - Sexual Assault
On the evening on Saturday, May 25th, rangers responded to a report of
sexual assault at Boxcar Cove. The rangers identified a 15-year-old
victim and 48-year-old suspect. Initial investigation revealed that the
man supplied alcohol to the girl throughout the day. Later in the
evening, he was found lying on top of the passed-out victim, attempting
to sexually abuse her. A friend of the girl's pulled him off. He was
taken into custody and charged with attempted sexual abuse of a minor.
[Scott Hinson, SA, LAMR, 6/3]
Monday, June 10, 2002
02-222 - Lake Mead NRA (NV/AZ) - Search and Rescue
On the morning of Monday, May 27th, rangers received a report of a
suspicious truck parked at Long View overlook. Responding rangers
recognized the truck from prior contacts. The truck was left open with
the keys in the ignition; paraphernalia associated with narcotic use was
found in the bed of the truck. A search for the operator was begun.
Additional resources were called in, including air, ground and water
support. The truck's owner was found about an hour later near shore with
his dog. He had removed his shoes and was hiking along a steep cliff
band. He was transported by vessel to waiting rangers. During the trip,
he became very agitated and showed signs of mental problems. He was
taken back to his vehicle, where he was evaluated, then transported by
medical personnel to Saint Rose Hospital, where he was treated for
severe dehydration and mental problems. [Scott Hinson, SA, LAMR, 6/3]
Monday, June 10, 2002
02-223 - Lake Mead NRA (NV/AZ) - Search and Rescue
In the early morning hours of Tuesday, May 28th, rangers received a
report of two overdue hikers and learned that several hikers had been
missing for over four hours. They were last seen hiking up from the hot
springs located in Goldstrike Canyon. The reporting party had already
checked the canyon, but found no sign of the missing hikers. Additional
support was brought in, including maintenance and fire personnel. After
several hours of searching, the couple was located near the top of the
canyon wall. Both were uninjured, needing only assistance getting down.
Searchers reached them via a trail and walked them out. [Scott Hinson,
SA, LAMR, 6/3]
Thursday, June 13, 2002
02-230 - Lake Mead NRA (NV/AZ) - Structural Fire
On the afternoon of May 29th, rangers at Katherine Landing reported a large
smoke column issuing from Katherine Mine Homesites, a parcel of county land
within the park. The first ranger to arrive reported that two structures
were fully engulfed in flames and that a third had caught fire. The ranger
had to enter the latter to coerce the owner to abandon his efforts to fight
the fire with a garden hose. The man refused to leave, so the ranger
attempted to forcibly extract him. When that failed, he latched onto the
garden hose and yanked it, causing the owner to be pulled from the
building. The area is served by only one water main, which is supplied by a
well in the old Katherine Mine. The park's engine assisted the local fire
department engines with a water shuttle until two water tenders could
arrive from departments that were 25 miles away. At one point during this
operation, the main water supply line ruptured, necessitating a continuous
water shuttle from the lake two-and-a-half miles away for the remainder of
the fire. Eight park staff were involved in attack operations, exposure
protection, water supply and overhead positions. A Bullhead City FD
battalion chief was IC for the four fire agencies that responded. The fire
may have been started by two unlicensed painting contractors doing work on
one of the homes. Bullhead City FD is investigating. Park staff received
compliments for participation in the operation. The air temperature during
the fire was 100, with a breezy southwest wind which helped fan the flames.
[John Tesar, SPR, LAME, 6/11]
Friday, June 21, 2002
02-254 - Lake Mead NRA (NV/AZ) - Possible Homicide
The body of A.C., 27, was found in Government Wash on the morning
of June 19th. Indications are that he was the victim of a homicide. Las
Vegas Metro homicide detectives are investigating. [Anthony Devito,
Dispatch, LAME, 6/19]
Wednesday, July 24, 2002
03-331 - Lake Mead NRA (NV/AZ) - Drowning
On the morning of July 23rd, rangers and special agents responded to a
report of a man under water for fifteen minutes near the Las Vegas Bay
Marina. On-scene rangers met with the reporting party, who told them
that he and his friends had left the marina and were heading toward
Sandy Cove when the victim asked to stop the vessel so that he could
swim. Shortly after going into the water, he appeared to be having
problems. A second swimmer entered the water to help; a struggle ensued
and the victim went under. The second swimmer was pulled back onto the
vessel. Neither the victim nor the rescuer had life jackets on. This is
the 13th fatality for the park this year and the third drowning within
the week. Recovery efforts, including a search with contract side scan
sonar, are underway for all three victims. [Mary Hinson, Boulder Basin
DR, LAME, 7/23]
Monday, July 29, 2002
02-337 - Lake Mead NRA (NV/AZ) - Double Drowning
A family of five rented a patio boat from the Las Vegas Bay Marina on July
21st and traveled to a location south of Las Vegas Bay. The father, 48,
attempted to teach his son, 18, how to swim. At some point, the son
disappeared under the surface, and the father dove down after him. The
water depth at that point is in excess of 150 feet. Neither resurfaced.
Rangers responded, with the first unit arriving within 15 minutes of the
initial call. Dive operations were conducted but were unsuccessful because
of the depth of the water. The surviving members of the family - the mother
and two daughters - were put in contact with a trauma intervention team.
The search continues. [Kevin Hendricks, ACR, LAME]
Wednesday, August 28, 2002
02-422 - Lake Mead NRA (NV/AZ) - Multiple Drownings
During a two-week period between late July and early August, there were
six drownings in the park. Four of the bodies were not immediately
recovered. On August 13th and 14th, the park employed an independent
contractor, the Bureau of Reclamation's ROV (remote operating vessel)
and deep water divers to recover two of the victims - a father and son -
in 175 feet of water (incident 02-337). On August 25th, two fishermen
found a body floating in Boulder Basin, tentatively identified as one of
the two bodies still missing. The coroner's office is currently
identifying the victim. [Scott Hinson, SSA, LAME]
Tuesday, September 10, 2002
02-445 - Lake Mead National Recreation Area (AZ,NV) - Drowning
On September 1st, T.D., 21, of El Mirage,
Arizona, was swimming in the lake with a friend while holding onto a
life jacket. T.D. took in a breath, released the life jacket, and
submerged. When he failed to resurface, his friend called for help. A
ranger/diver located Dinsesen in 40 feet of water within a minute of
entering the lake. He was brought to the surface and advanced life
support was begun. T.D. was then transferred by boat to a waiting
Mercy Airlife helicopter at the Calville Bay Marina. Following
consultation with physicians, T.D. was pronounced dead at the marina.
The coroner has ruled the death to have been an accidental drowning.
This is the seventh drowning in the park within the past five weeks and
the seventeenth fatality at Lake Mead this year. [Submitted by
Paul Crawford, Special Agent, Lake Mead NRA]
Friday, October 25, 2002
02-558 - Lake Mead National Recreation Area (AZ,NV) - Search and Rescue
On the afternoon of October 18, Lake Mead dispatch received a report
that a man had sustained injuries in a fall of approximately 30 feet.
The injured party was located a half mile up Boy Scout Canyon, a side
canyon off the Colorado River. All rescue personnel had to be ferried to
the location by boat, as the accident site could only be reached from
the river. The 72-year-old Polish national had a broken ankle and
possible back injuries, which he sustained when he slipped on wet rocks
and fell over a 30 foot cliff. Reaching and moving the victim required
technical rescue procedures. Multiple belayed lowering stations and
highline techniques were used to negotiate the litter through steep and
narrow sections of the canyon. The operation extended into the night,
with the last lowering operation being carried out in total darkness.
Rangers transported rescuers to and from the incident location during
extreme hazard conditions due to low water, multiple reefs and strong,
fast currents. [Submitted by Jim Barnes, Park Ranger]
Tuesday, January 21, 2003
Lake Mead National Recreation Area (AZ,NV)
Weapons Violation Conviction
While manning a safety line perimeter at the national water ski races
on October 14, race volunteer M.S. got into an argument with
some spectators. M.S. drew out a 9mm Glock and fired five rounds at a
boat containing three people. Two rounds hit the bow of the boat and its
bimini strip, the other three missed both boat and occupants due to wave
action. M.S. was arrested and pled guilty to discharging a weapon
where a person may be endangered, a gross misdemeanor. On November 6, he
was sentenced to three years probation, three months of electronic
monitoring, mental health treatment, restitution to the victims, and a
$1,000 fine. [Submitted by Beth Meyers, Special Agent]
Tuesday, February 25, 2003
Lake Mead National Recreation Area (AZ,NV)
Colorado Man Takes Own Life
The body of a 68-year-old Colorado man was found in the park on
February 18. The man's vehicle had been found a day earlier; it
contained a note saying that he was suicidal. Rangers and Las Vegas
Metro PD officers participated in the search for the victim and the
subsequent investigation. [Submitted by Scott Hinson]
Friday, March 07, 2003
Lake Mead National Recreation Area (AZ,NV)
Fire Destroys Six Boats, Damages Dock and Two More Boats
On March 5th, park firefighters responded to a report of boats on
fire at the Lake Mead Marina. They found four boats fully involved in
their slips at a marina dock. Additional resources were ordered and
boats were removed from the dock to slow down the fire's spread. The
marina staff assisted by cutting boats loose and providing fire boats
from Lake Mead Marina and Las Vegas Bay Marina. Park fire chief Bob
Trodahl took command when he arrived on scene and asked for further
assistance from Boulder City FD. Six boats were destroyed by the fire
and a house boat and large power boat were damaged, as was the dock. The
park's dive team was to dive on the six boats yesterday to further
investigate what happened. The park committed two engines and one
rescue, two LE and one VIP boats to the incident. During the park's last
structural fire training session, they used this type of fire as a
scenario. The crew of the first engine on scene did their job by
stopping the fire's spread by moving boats, then cutting the burning
boats loose and moving them away from the dock. [Submitted by Bob
Trodahl, Fire Chief]
Friday, May 02, 2003
Lake Mead National Recreation Area (AZ,NV)
Security Breach at Hoover Dam, High-Speed Chase
A driver ran through a security checkpoint on the Nevada side of
Hoover Dam at a high rate of speed around 1 p.m. on May 1st. This
checkpoint is manned by a security firm that has contracted with the
Bureau of Reclamation. Hoover Dam police attempted to stop it before, on
and just off the dam, but had no luck. Calls went out via an interagency
dispatch center for Arizona DPS officers to help stop the vehicle, for
Las Vegas Metro PD officers to check the home of the vehicle's
registered owner, and for the park's law enforcement specialist to
assist with the eventual prosecution of the case. The chase continued
past the Arizona checkpoint (manned by a Hoover Dam contractor) and
finally concluded on Highway 93 when an Arizona DPS officer stopped the
vehicle with spike strips. The driver refused to get out, so DPS
officers broke a window and used pepper spray on him. This helped induce
him to exit the vehicle and he was arrested after a struggle. Charges
are pending. The park will help Hoover Dam Police with the overall
prosecution and will assist the U.S. Attorney's Office with the case.
[Submitted by Dale Antonich, Chief Ranger]
Thursday, June 05, 2003
Lake Mead National Recreation Area (AZ,NV)
Three Poisoned by Carbon Monoxide
Rangers responded by boat to a report of three unconscious people
with suspected carbon monoxide poisoning in Rufus Cove on May 31st. They
found the three members of a family - an adult male and female and
a seven-year-old boy - all unconscious. They had been sleeping in
their cabin cruiser overnight. Resuscitation efforts were begun. The
adults were intubated, and all three were flown to UMC hospital, where
they were immediately admitted to the hyperbaric chamber. All three
remain in serious condition. Monoxide levels in the man were 21% at the
hospital, after resuscitation. [Submitted by Beth Shott, Special
Agent]
Thursday, June 05, 2003
Lake Mead National Recreation Area (AZ,NV)
Drowning in Cottonwood Cove
On June 1st, J.C., five, wandered away from his family at
the Cottonwood Cove swimming area. He'd been told not to go into the
water. While his family looked for him for about 15 to 20 minutes, a
swimmer stepped on his submerged body and pulled J.C. out of the
water. Rangers were on scene within two minutes and began CPR. A
pediatric ER doctor was on scene and assisted with the resuscitation
efforts. The boy was flown by helicopter to a hospital in Las Vegas,
where he was pronounced dead. [Submitted by Scott Hinson]
Thursday, June 05, 2003
Lake Mead National Recreation Area (AZ,NV)
Fatal Accident - Vehicle Over Embankment
Park fee collectors informed rangers that a vehicle had come through
the Lake Mead Drive that was being driven erratically and whose driver
might be drunk. While attempting to find the vehicle, a ranger came upon
evidence of a recent accident on Lakeshore Drive and found a vehicle
matching the description of the one he was seeking about 50 feet down an
embankment. The vehicle had incurred major damage; the driver and sole
occupant was deceased. Alcohol is suspected to have been a contributing
factor. [Submitted by Scott Hinson]
Friday, June 06, 2003
Lake Mead National Recreation Area (AZ,NV)
Additional Information on Carbon Monoxide Poisoning
Further details have been received regarding the monoxide poisoning
of a family of three on their boat in Rufus Cove last Saturday. The
mother and father had slept in the vessel's cabin with the generator
running and the air conditioning on. Their seven-year-old son slept on
the beach, but entered the cabin sometime around dawn. All three were
found in mid-morning. When admitted to the hospital, the adults had
carboxyhemglobin levels of 24% and 20%; the boy had a level of 7%. The
boy and one of his parents have recovered and are now okay; the other is
still unconscious and in critical condition. When investigated in detail
by Nevada Division of Wildlife (NDOW) wardens well after the cabin door
was opened and the victims rescued, the carbon monoxide levels were at
80.8 parts per million (ppm), with a peak reading of 250 ppm in one area
of the cabin (the allowable maximum exposure level as determined by both
OSHA and EPA is 35 ppm). The lowest levels were found near the floor,
where the boy was located. The generator had been installed by the
manufacturer and the vessel had reportedly been serviced recently. The
incident is under investigation by NDOW and the Coast Guard. The vessel
manufacturer has also dispatched a four-person team to
investigate. [Submitted by Kevin Hendricks, Assistant Chief
Ranger]
Thursday, June 12, 2003
Lake Mead National Recreation Area (AZ,NV)
Fire in Callville Bay Concession Dormitory
Park firefighters responded to an active fire in a dormitory unit at
the Callville Bay concession housing area at 5:45 p.m. on June 9th. The
dorm has 18 individual rooms, and at least 15 people were in the
building when the fire started. Engine 5 from Calville was first on
scene. Firefighters found that one dorm room was fully engulfed in
flame, so requested additional support. Engine 4 from Boulder Beach
responded, and Henderson FD provided additional assistance. Rangers
learned that one 15-year-old boy was unaccounted for, so began a search
of the dormitory. He was subsequently found outside the building. The
fire eventually burned into the attic and wasn't extinguished until 8
p.m. One third of the structure was lost, and all occupants were
displaced. The concessioner has made arrangements for temporary housing
for them. There were no injuries. The cause of the fire is still under
investigation. [Submitted by Bob Trodahl, Fire Chief]
Thursday, June 19, 2003
Lake Mead National Recreation Area (AZ,NV)
Probable Drowning
D.H., 38, of Cucamonga, California, was riding his PWC in the
Las Vegas Bay arm of Lake Mead with his eight-year-old son on the
afternoon of June 15th when he hit a wave and fell off the PWC. His son
was unsuccessful in efforts to help his father, so drove the PWC to the
beach camp where they'd launched it. Family members called the park. As
rangers, game wardens and medics were responding, D.H.'s body was found
by fisherman. He was floating face down in the water with a lifejacket
on. D.H. had a history of seizures, and it appears that he had one
after falling into the lake and became unresponsive. He was wearing a
Type 3 life jacket, commonly referred to as a ski vest. Type 3
lifejackets will not keep an unconscious person's face out of the water.
[Submitted by Paul Crawford, Special Agent]
Wednesday, June 25, 2003
Lake Mead National Recreation Area (AZ,NV)
Heat Exposure Claims Lives Of Two Hikers
On the afternoon of June 18th, hikers in Gold Strike Canyon came upon
a naked, hysterical, incoherent man swinging on a tree and noted that
his clothing and shoes were lying just below him on the trail. They
continued down the trail, where they came across a second unresponsive
naked man lying face down on the ground. The hikers turned around and
attempted to make contact with the first man, but he would not respond
to them. They left him a bottle of water and started to hike out to get
help. They came across two hikers and asked them to go get help so that
they could return to assist the man who was still alive. When they
returned in about 30 to 45 minutes, the man had passed away. The park
received a call for help at 3 p.m. Rescuers arrived on scene 45 minutes
later. Both men were pronounced dead at the scene, with each displaying
obvious signs of heat exposure. Initial investigation revealed that they
were not prepared for the desert conditions. Gold Strike Canyon is a
steep, rugged desert canyon with temperatures in excess of 110 degrees.
Metro Search and Rescue and the Hoover Dam Police assisted the NPS with
this incident. Their deaths are the 17th and 18th fatalities to occur in
the park of the year. [Submitted by Mary Hinson, District Ranger,
Boulder District]
Wednesday, June 25, 2003
Lake Mead National Recreation Area (AZ,NV)
Carbon Monoxide Poisoning
A 57-year-old park visitor lost consciousness due to significant
exposure to carbon monoxide on the morning of June 18th. He was making a
second attempt to remove an entangled rope from the prop of his beached
vessel when he was overcome. On the previous evening, he'd spent two
hours under the swim platform attempting to remove the rope, but had to
discontinue his efforts when he became weak and nauseous. The next
morning, he put on a life jacket, entered the water, and resumed his
efforts. Thirty minutes later a friend same him float from underneath
the swim platform. He was conscious and alert, but slow to answer some
questoins. He was taken by vessel to Callville Bay marina, then
transported to a medical facility. Doctors there determine that he had
nearly 20 times the maximum permissible amount of carbon monoxide in his
blood. He was admitted to the hospital in serious but stable condition.
Further investigation revealed that the 22-horsepower generator on the
boat had been running the entire time. This is the second serious carbon
monoxide exposure requiring hospitalization this year.
Wednesday, June 25, 2003
Lake Mead National Recreation Area (AZ,NV)
Cliff-Jumping Fatality
On June 14th, a 25-year-old man jumped from the top of Cat Eye Cliff
on Lake Mohave, which is about 50 feet above the lake. Witnesses said
that he was leaning slightly forward when he hit the water and that he
never surfaced. Family members and bystanders tried to find him before
calling for help via marine band radio. Divers found his body on the
lake bottom at a depth of 49 feet. The victim was an Eagle Scout who was
working full-time as a CPA and had just finished his masters degree.
This was the family's eighteenth consecutive Fathers Day outing on Lake
Mohave. All the members of his family witnessed the incident. Alcohol
may have been a contributing factor. Rangers regularly advise visitors
that jumping from cliffs is hazardous. Mathematical calculations show
that anyone jumping from this height hits the water at over 35 mph.
[Submitted by John Tesar, Supervisory Park Ranger]
Monday, June 30, 2003
Lake Mead National Recreation Area (AZ,NV)
Assist on Murder Investigation
On June 23rd, Boulder City PD asked the park's dive team for
assistance in a murder investigation. Police had found a woman's body
floating in a small, man-made fishing lake in one of the city's parks.
Divers helped recover the remains and searched the entire pond. The
crime scene was identified as a hotel room at the Hacienda Hotel and
Casino, a private inholding within the park. A suspect was identified
and arrested in California. The victim is thought to have been a porter
at the hotel who disappeared during her shift. [Submitted by Kevin
Hendricks, Assistant Chief Ranger]
Thursday, July 31, 2003
Lake Mead National Recreation Area (AZ,NV)
Eight Rescued During Storm On Lake
Ranger Ryan Regnell was on boat patrol in the Boulder Basin of Lake
Mead on July 25th when a severe thunderstorm with 50 mph winds and four-
to six-foot waves struck the area, catching many boaters by surprise.
Regnell saw a boat in mid-basin that appeared to be in trouble. Upon
arrival, he found eight people - five adults, a small child and two
infants - onboard a low profile Mastercraft "Wakeboarder" with
little freeboard. It was under power, but taking on water. The operator
was trying to make it to Lake Mead Marina, but was still three to four
miles out. Shortly after Regnell's arrival, the boat lost power and
started taking waves. Two waves almost filled the boat, so Regnell
quickly attached a tow line and got the vessel's bow back into the wind
and moving toward the marina. The forward motion helped bail the water,
keeping the boat afloat. Regnell called for Nevada Division of Wildlife
game wardens Karen Welden and Fred Esparza and asked them to respond and
help offload the passengers. Regnell's tow line snapped just as the NDOW
wardens arrived, and the vessel began to sink once more. Regnell managed
to tie the line to the boat and get it headed into the wind again. They
then got the women and children transferred to the NDOW boat. With the
Mastercraft lightened, Regnell could make headway toward Lake Mead
Marina. About a quarter mile out of the harbor, the tow line snapped
again and the vessel again began to sink. The ranger and wardens were
able to attach a tow line from the NDOW boat to the sinking vessel, and
the boat was towed the remaining quarter mile to the harbor launch ramp.
The visitors, who were from Illinois, said that they knew the storm was
coming and that high winds had been predicted, but decided they could
make the harbor before the storm hit. [Submitted by Tom Valenta,
Shift Supervisor]
Tuesday, September 30, 2003
Lake Mead National Recreation Area (AZ,NV)
Sexual Assault Conviction
On May 26, 2002, P.I. was arrested for an attempted sexual
assault on a 15-year-old girl. A visitor witnessed the attempt and
pulled him off her. P.I., who was 46 at the time of his arrest, spent
about a year in psychiatric evaluation due to his illiteracy and alcohol
problems. P.I. had been arrested in San Bernardino for a similar
offense with a nine-year-old girl in 2000. On September 19th, P.I. was
sentenced in federal district court to 21 months in jail and a year's
probation, with the requirement that he register as a sex offender.
[Submitted by Scott Hinson]
Monday, October 06, 2003
Lake Mead National Recreation Area (AZ,NV)
Two Fatal Boating-Related Accidents
Just before midnight on Sunday, September 28th, a boat with four
people on board ran aground on Cottonwood Island on Lake Mojave.
E.H., 38, was killed, and her three passengers were injured. All three
were taken to University Medical Center in Las Vegas. The cause of the
accident is still under investigation. While awaiting the arrival of the
hearse to pick up the victim the next morning, rangers were contacted by
visitors and told about a body floating on the water near the middle of
Lake Mohave. Rangers, agents and staff from the coroner's office
responded and recovered the body of N.R., 22. On September
20th, N.R. had jumped into the lake from the top of a houseboat and
failed to resurface. Divers had made several unsuccessful efforts to
find his body at that time. [Submitted by Willie Lopez, District
Ranger]
Monday, December 08, 2003
Lake Mead National Recreation Area (AZ,NV)
Human Remains Found on Lake Bottom
Just after noon on November 30th, two recreational SCUBA divers
reported finding what appeared to be human remains in 66 feet of water
near Hemenway Point in Lake Mead. The two divers, who were training for
a deep water certificate, reported passing over what first appeared to
them as trash on their way to deeper water. Two park divers were
immediately dispatched but were unable to locate the remains. A
comprehensive search operation began the next morning with a total of
seven divers. Within a few hours, the divers found the site, confirmed
that they were human remains, and recovered them after the underwater
site was surveyed and documented. Rangers, special agents, and the
county coroner's office continue to investigate. The discovery has
resulted in significant media coverage, and the park has received
several phone calls from people who claim that they have family members
who have yet to be found or recovered from the lake. [Billy Shott,
Supervisory Ranger]
Wednesday, December 24, 2003
Lake Mead National Recreation Area (AZ,NV)
Convicted Felon Arrested for Assault on Ranger
Following a high-speed pursuit that took place on December 18th,
convicted felon A.G. was arrested and charged with assault on a
federal officer, evading, possession of a stolen vehicle and possession
of drugs. On that date, rangers learned that A.G. had attempted to sell
drugs to a concession maintenance employee at Echo Bay. A ranger who was
responding to the call located A.G. on Northshore Drive. When backup
arrived, rangers attempted to stop A.G., but he continued to flee. At
one point, he turned his vehicle around and sped past one of the
rangers. A second ranger attempted to block the road, but A.G. hit his
car and continued to flee. A third ranger was able to deploy spike
strips on the road, which deflated one of the tires on A.G.'s vehicle.
He abandoned it and continued on foot into nearby Gypsum Wash. Rangers
continued to pursue A.G. and forced him into hiding. Additional
rangers, special agents and local law enforcement officers arrived on
scene. The park airplane, a Las Vegas Metro helicopter, and canine units
from Boulder City and Henderson Police Departments arrived and searched
the area. A canine, appropriately named "Ranger," alerted on A.G.
approximately one mile down the wash. A.G. had secreted himself in a
narrow shelf covered by bushes. When "Ranger" approached, A.G. kicked
him in the head. "Ranger" responded by latching onto A.G. and pulled
him from the shelf. He was then arrested. The investigation continues;
additional charges are pending. [Submitted by Mary Hinson, District
Ranger]
Friday, January 23, 2004
Lake Mead National Recreation Area (AZ,NV)
SCA Arrested for Marijuana Cultivation, Possession
On May 7, 2003, a volunteer maintenance employee told special agents
that she'd seen marijuana growing in a government building housing
Student Conservation Association workers. They obtained consent from SCA
J.F. to check the premises and found a greenhouse in his
closet with grow lights, foil light reflectors and five marijuana
plants. J.F. admitted that they were his and was subsequently
fired. In December of 2003, J.F. pled guilty to two counts, one of
cultivating marijuana and one of possession of paraphernalia. He was
sentenced to a year's probation and a $500 fine. [Submitted by Beth
Shott, Special Agent]
Wednesday, February 04, 2004
Lake Mead National Recreation Area (AZ,NV)
Sexual Assault Conviction
Last August 9th, rangers received a report of a sexual assault that
had occurred at Sandy Cove, an area accessible only by water. A
26-year-old woman awoke to find a man in her boat cabin, lying on top of
her. She screamed and scared him away. Rangers immediately placed a
lookout on all the park's launch ramps and soon contacted a suspect,
O.S., who th woman was able to positively identify in a show-up.
In January, O.S. pled guilty to abusive sexual contact (18 USC
2244(b)) and was sentenced to a year's probation and 300 hours of
community service, charged a $5,000 fee, and ordered to pay the woman's
ambulance fee. [Submitted by Beth Shott, Acting Supervisory Special
Agent]
Thursday, February 05, 2004
Lake Mead National Recreation Area (AZ,NV)
Follow-up on Pursuit, Drug Arrest
Last December 18th, rangers and special agents, assisted by Las Vegas
Metro, Henderson PD, and Boulder City PD officers, were involved in a
pursuit and apprehension of A.G. A.G. was driving a stolen
vehicle and had attempted to sell marijuana to a concession employee. He
pled guilty to possession of controlled substance and reckless driving
and was sentenced to six months in jail. The theft/possession of stolen
vehicle charge is pending in state court. [Submitted by Beth Shott,
Acting Supervisory Special Agent]
Monday, February 09, 2004
Lake Mead National Recreation Area (AZ,NV)
Rangers Rescue 73-Year-Old Man Near Lake Mohave
A Bullhead City woman called the park on the evening of January 30th
and reported that her husband, G.H., 73, had not yet arrived
home, that he was two hours past due, and that he'd gone boating with
his dog on Lake Mohave in his 17-foot Sea-Doo. Rangers Dan Fangen-Gritis
and Wes Houk immediately began searching for him and asked for
assistance from the Las Vegas Metro PD SAR helicopter. An observer in
the helicopter spotted G.H. and his vessel about 50 feet from the
water on the shore near Nine Mile Light around 1 a.m. Fangen-Gritis and
Houk reached him about an hour later, removed him from his vessel, and
treated him. The rangers credit his dog for keeping him warm until help
arrived. G.H. was taken by boat to Princess Cove, then airlifted to
the UMC Trauma Center in Las Vegas. [Submitted by Roxanne Day,
Public Affairs Officer]
Wednesday, March 31, 2004
Lake Mead National Recreation Area (AZ,NV)
Drowning in Boxcar Cove
Dispatch received a report of a body in the lake in Boxcar Cove on
the afternoon of March 25th. Rangers recovered the victim's body and
transported it to the Clark County coroner's office. The victim was
subsequently identified as J.S., 43, from California. He had
been reported missing five days previously. [Submitted by Park
Dispatch]
Friday, April 09, 2004
Lake Mead National Recreation Area (AZ,NV)
Kidnapping and Sexual Assault
On March 30th, a 14-year-old girl called park dispatch from an
emergency call box at Government Wash and reported that she'd been
abducted and pushed into a waiting motor vehicle outside a theater in
Las Vegas, then driven out to Lake Mead. She was then forced to drink a
liquid, possibly containing the drug Ecstacy, robbed of her purse, and
sexually assaulted. She escaped from the vehicle at Government Wash and
contacted a park volunteer there. The volunteer stayed with her until
rangers arrived. A search of the area proved fruitless. A joint
investigation with Las Vegas Metro PD is underway. [Submitted by Mike
Blandford, Special Agent]
Thursday, May 06, 2004
Lake Mead National Recreation Area (AZ,NV)
Assault with a Dangerous Weapon
On the afternoon of April 21st, rangers received a marine band radio
report that a boater was being fired upon by a camper along the
shoreline in 8.0 Cove. The shooter was reported to be sitting inside of
the camper shell on his truck, using it as a shooting platform. Rangers
arrested L.G.W., 49. Investigation revealed that L.G.W. had
fired several shots from a BB rifle at close range, striking the boater
in the back and causing minor injury. The attack was without cause or
provocation. The rifle was recovered. The on-duty assistant U.S.
attorney approved the filing of a single count of assault with a
dangerous weapon. After case review, the United States Attorney's Office
decided to indict L.G.W. on one or more counts of assault with a dangerous
weapon. [Submitted by Mike Blandford]
Friday, May 14, 2004
Lake Mead National Recreation Area (AZ,NV)
Conviction for Theft of Mesquite
On January 11th, a Lake Mead ranger saw a truck exiting a road that
accesses the park adjacent to the town of Overton with a bed full of cut
wood. The area had recently been the site of mesquite theft and is hit
annually. The operator of the truck, R.M., took rangers back to
the area where he'd harvested the mesquite, which was found to be within
the park. R.M. also admitted to cutting and removing a truck load of
mesquite from the same location several weeks previously. A resource
damage assessment was conducted by Lake Mead resources management
personnel with assistance from an independent arborist. They estimated
the live mesquite value at $12,000. R.M. recently pled guilty to
removing and possessing mesquite wood and was ordered to pay $5,000 in
restitution to the park. [Submitted by Talmadge Magno, Northshore
District Ranger]
Tuesday, May 18, 2004
Lake Mead National Recreation Area (AZ,NV)
Visitor Drowns in Boat Swamping
Despite forecasts calling for high winds, D.D. and W.P.F. headed out
from Echo Bay Marina in a 20-foot ski boat on Monday, May 10th, with
family and friends following in a rented houseboat. The group planned to
travel to Calville Bay Marina and rendezvous there with the rest of
their party. The predicted winds 25 to 35 mph, with gusts up to
45 mph developed by mid-morning and caught the two vessels as
they headed south through Overton Arm. W.P.F. and D.D. were ahead of the
houseboat; they turned around when the lake became too rough and headed
north. Around 10 a.m., their boat swamped and rolled over far enough to
pitch them into the 71 degree water. They donned lifejackets and stayed
with the drifting vessel. As they drifted north, a houseboat heading
south passed them and D.D. decided to swim to it. W.P.F. lost sight of
D.D. and remained with the boat until it ran aground on Big Horn Island.
Just before 8 p.m., one of the members of the party waiting at Calville
Bay called park dispatch and reported both boats overdue. Since the
winds were forecast to continue until 9 p.m., plans were made to begin a
search at first light. Shortly after 7 a.m., rangers from Echo Bay found
the houseboat pushed sideways against the shore with all four occupants
(including D.D.'s parents) inside and okay. The search for the ski boat
continued when it was learned that the two boats had separated. A
fisherman found W.P.F. walking on the shoreline and took him to Echo
Bay, where he reported D.D. as missing. Using information provided by
W.P.F., rangers soon found their boat and were able to narrow the search
area. At 10:30 a.m., rangers found D.D.'s body washed ashore south of
Big horn Island at Kendal Cove. An autopsy will be conducted to
determine the exact cause of death. [Submitted by Talmadge Magno,
Northshore District Ranger]
Thursday, June 03, 2004
Lake Mead National Recreation Area (AZ,NV)
Two Drownings
Rangers dealt with two drownings in the park on the weekend before
last. The first was at 83 Dollar Cove on Saturday, May 22nd, and came in
as a report of a possible drowning with CPR in progress. A 22-year-old
man who'd been jet skiing all day had just come to shore. He removed his
life jacket and was last seen standing in six feet of water. After a
short time, witnesses reported that he was found floating face down in
the lake. He was immediately pulled from the water and rescue efforts
were begun. Rangers took him to Princess Cove by boat, where advanced
life measures were administered but proved fruitless. Then, on Sunday, a
report came in of a swimmer in need of assistance at Grebe Cove. Rangers
arriving at the scene learned that V.P., 46, had
disappeared after attempting to swim back to his houseboat. The
houseboat had been stopped so that V.P. could slide into the lake,
but had been moved by high winds. Although it was evident that V.P.
was having difficulty returning to the boat, efforts to reach him by
boat and provide him with a life jacket were unsuccessful. The water
depth at the point last seen is about 180 feet. Efforts are underway to
recover the body. [Submitted by Marc Burt, Canyon District Ranger;
Dirk Murphy, Mohave District Ranger]
Thursday, June 17, 2004
Lake Mead National Recreation Area (AZ,NV)
Woman Drowns; Daughter and Dog Rescued
Late on the afternoon of June 9th, park dispatch received a report of
two females and a dog in need of help near Saddle Cove. Witnesses told
rangers that a mother, her daughter and their dog had entered the water
on an air mattress the kind used for a bed and were
floating near the cove. Before they entered the water, they were warned
of high and dangerous winds, but disregarded the warning. Neither the
mother nor her daughter was wearing a life jacket. When witnesses saw
the air mattress flip over in the wind, one of them called dispatch. A
search by air, water and foot (along the shoreline) was immediately
begun. Rangers found the dog in the water north of Saddle Island and
found the daughter on land in good condition shortly thereafter.
According to the girl, the wind blew the air mattress over and they were
all knocked off. The wind then continued to blow the air mattress
farther and farther away from them. It was later found on Black Island
approximately two miles northeast of Saddle Island. The search for the
mother continued, with the park dive team called in to assist with the
effort. The area the dive team searched is at least 110 feet deep. No
sign of the woman has yet been found. The park continues to urge all
visitors to wear their life jackets and exercise extreme caution when
recreating on the lake. This is the third drowning in the last month in
which the victim was not wearing a life jacket. [Submitted by
Talmadge Magno, Boulder Basin District Ranger]
Monday, June 28, 2004
Lake Mead National Recreation Area (AZ,NV)
Two Drownings and a Near Drowning
The park reports two drownings and a near-drowning over the past two
weeks:
June 11 The body of T.S., 37, was recovered near Lake
Mead Marina. Selden disappeared on June 9th and was believed to have
drowned after she and her daughter were blown off their air mattress
near Saddle Cove. Neither was wearing a lifejacket. The daughter was
rescued.
June 19 Dispatch received a 911 call via Las Vegas Metro
dispatch, reporting that a patio boat was adrift in Boulder Basin with
people on board and in the water. An immediate water and air search was
begun. When rangers arrived, they learned what had happened: A.F.
had been washed overboard by a wave while riding on the bow of the
boat. Her husband, Kenneth, who was operating the boat at the time,
grabbed a lifejacket and jumped into the water. None of the remaining
passengers could operate the vessel, nor were any familiar with the
area. About 45 minutes elapsed before A.F. was spotted from the
park plane and rescued by rangers. During that time, K.F., who
was not wearing a lifejacket, disappeared below the surface. Winds were
blowing at about 20 mph at the time, and the waves were running one to
two feet. The search for A.F. was unsuccessful. The water at this point
is about 300 feet deep.
June 25 Staff at Overton Beach Marina received a report of a
drowning at Ann Margaret Beach. A concession employee notified park
dispatch, then responded on jet ski. Rangers and rescue units were
dispatched. A 17-year-old Boy Scout who'd been playing in about eight
feet of water went under and did not resurface. Another Scout dove twice
and eventually found the boy face down on the bottom of the lake. He
pulled him to shore, and CPR was begun. He soon resumed breathing in
irregular and wheezing breaths and was taken to Overton Beach in a
visitor's boat. Rangers then transported him to an ambulance, where he
was intubated, then transferred to Mercy Air Helicopter. He was flown to
Sunrise Hospital, where he was listed in critical condition at the time
of the report. Witnesses said that he'd had a life jacket on earlier in
the day, but not at the time of the accident. [Submitted by Mary
Hinson, Acting Deputy Chief Ranger]
Friday, July 23, 2004
Lake Mead National Recreation Area (AZ,NV)
Investigation into Death of "John Doe"
On June 13th, rangers on motorcycle patrol in the Gypsum Wash area
contacted visitors who were riding their ATV's off road. During the
contact, the visitors reported finding a body near the shore of the
lake. Law enforcement personnel responded and recovered the remains. The
area was searched by foot and aircraft, but no further evidence was
found. His identity could not immediately be established; the evidence
regarding cause of death was inconclusive. Investigators were finally
able to establish his identity by fingerprint comparison in early July
and found that he was K.D., 27, of Lincoln, Nebraska. K.D. had
been entered into NCIC as a missing person on May 20th. He was listed as
depressed and had made comments about committing suicide by alcohol
overdose. On May 16th, he had been arrested for his third DUI, posted
bail, took out $2,500 in cash, left his cell phone behind, and
disappeared. The only indicator of intent was discovered on June 27th.
On the back of a poster in his room was written "It's all for the best."
His vehicle was later found in Las Vegas. The investigation
continues. [Submitted by From reports by Talmadge Magno and Paul
Crawford]
Monday, August 09, 2004
Lake Mead National Recreation Area (AZ,NV)
Arrest of Sexual Assault Suspect
On Wednesday, July 21st, NPS special agents arrested J.L., 42
in North Las Vegas, on an outstanding warrant charging him with one
count of felony sexual assault and three counts of gross misdemeanor
open or gross lewdness. The charges stemmed from an investigation
conducted by special agent Beth Shott. The arrest warrant was issued
after two girls under the age of 16 came forward and reported that they
had been sexually molested by J.L. at a beach camp on the lake's shore
about three years ago. [Submitted by Mike Blandford]
Friday, September 24, 2004
Lake Mead National Recreation Area (AZ,NV)
Burglary Arrests, Indictments
On July 13th, Seven Crowns Resort, which is located at Temple Bar in
Arizona, reported a burglary of the resort's administrative office and
concession safe. Cash and checks worth about $24,000 were reportedly
stolen. Investigating rangers and agents identified four concession
employees as suspects. A search warrant was executed on two of the
suspects' motor home in Temple Bar and cash believed to have been stolen
in the burglary was recovered. All four were indicted by a county grand
jury three on charges of burglary, grand theft and possession of
stolen property, and the fourth on possession of stolen property. About
$8,0000 in cash believed stolen in the burglary has so far been
recovered. [Submitted by Scott Hinson, Special Agent]
Monday, September 27, 2004
Lake Mead National Recreation Area (AZ,NV)
Fatal Cliff Jump
Park dispatch received a cell phone call from an area known as
Gasoline Alley in the Mohave District around
6:30 p.m. on September 4th. The caller reported that there'd
been a cliff diving accident, possibly resulting in a drowning. Rangers
and Arizona and Nevada state game officers responded. Onlookers told
them that a 32-year-old man from Ontario, California, had jumped from a
spot called the Cat Eye and had not resurfaced. The man had climbed part
way up the cliff, then turned and started to descend. His friends
encouraged him to keep going, though, so he reversed directions and
climbed to the Cat Eye and jumped from there to the water 35 feet below.
Bullhead City divers found his body in 41 feet of water at the base of
the cliff.[Submitted by Dirk Murphy, District Ranger, Mohave
District]
Wednesday, September 29, 2004
Lake Mead National Recreation Area (AZ,NV)
High Speed Pursuit and Confrontation
During the early morning hours of September 4th, Boulder City PD
notified the park of a high-speed felony pursuit of a stolen vehicle
heading into park jurisdiction. The chase had begun in Henderson and
several officers from that department were also involved. The driver,
R.V.T., was distraught about a fight that she'd had with her
boyfriend and was reported to be suicidal and possibly armed. When she
entered the park on Highway 93, she was driving at speeds in excess of
100 miles per hour and was headed towards Hoover Dam. Rangers staged at
a local casino in order to be ready to provide assistance where needed.
R.V.T. eventually stopped at a small roadside turnout in the park
and got out of the car holding a small caliber handgun to her head.
Rangers and Hoover Dam, Boulder City, Henderson and Las Vegas Metro
officers cordoned off the area, closing the busy interstate highway to
all traffic. A tense, three-hour standoff ensued, during which police
negotiators from Henderson and Las Vegas kept the woman talking and
considering other options. R.V.T. was eventually convinced to lay
down the handgun and surrender. Henderson PD is handling the case.
Counseling has been sought for R.V.T. While quickly set up "on the
fly," the successful resolution of this incident came about as a result
of effective coordination among all of the state and federal agencies
involved. [Submitted by Art Gunzel, Supervisory Park Ranger]
Thursday, September 30, 2004
Lake Mead National Recreation Area (AZ,NV)
Domestic Violence Conviction
On September 9th, K.G.S., 54, of Las Vegas, Nevada,
pled guilty to battery domestic violence in Las Vegas Justice Court and
was given the minimum sentence for a second domestic violence conviction
90 days suspended sentence, pending good behavior for a year; a
$560 fine; 10 days' house arrest; community service; and mandatory
domestic violence counseling. His conviction was based on an assault he
committed against his wife while they were camping along the shoreline
of Lake Mead on June 23rd. She was able to escape with the help of
friends who responded by boat to pick her up, transport her back to the
marina, and take her to a hospital for treatment of her injuries
(internal and external bruising). When interviewed at the hospital, she
said that she did not want to file charges against her husband.
Additional interviews were conducted with friends of the victim involved
in the rescue. The case was originally submitted the United States
Attorneys Office for prosecution. In consultation with that office, the
decision was made to take the case to the Clark County District
Attorneys Office for prosecution under the state of Nevada's domestic
violence law.[Submitted by Scott Hinson]
Tuesday, October 05, 2004
Lake Mead National Recreation Area (AZ,NV)
Drowning in Placer Cove
On Saturday, September 18th, rangers checked out a report of a
possible drowning at Placer Cove. A family member and bystanders
reported that a 24-year-old man attempted to swim across the cove and
back, but began to struggle on the return leg. He was not wearing a
lifejacket. Another visitor tried to reach him and hold him up, but was
not successful. Divers arrived on scene and found the body near
the point where he was last seen. This was the ninth drowning and
eighteenth overall fatality in the park this year. Rangers urge
all visitors to wear lifejackets when participating in any kind of water
activity.[Submitted by Mary Hinson, Acting Deputy Chief Ranger]
Tuesday, October 19, 2004
Lake Mead National Recreation Area (AZ,NV)
Drowning Near Echo Bay
On the morning of Tuesday, October 5th, rangers responded to a report
of a drowning near Echo Bay. The reporting party told rangers that he
and a friend had been fishing the night before when their 23-foot vessel
was swamped and subsequently sunk due to a microburst from storm that
blew through the area.
Both men donned life jackets as a result of the storm. The person
making the report stayed with the vessel and eventually reached the
shore. His friend made several attempts to make it to shore, but each
effort was unsuccessful due to high winds and large waves. He was last
seen letting go of a rope that the reporting party had sent to him. The
man's body was recovered later that morning.
Weather conditions at the time of the drowning consisted of 50 mph
winds with five to six foot waves. This was the park's 20th
fatality this year. [Submitted by Bill Collup, Park Ranger]
Friday, April 08, 2005
Lake Mead National Recreation Area (AZ,NV)
Teenager Killed in Fall
At about 6:30 p.m. on April 5th, dispatchers received notice that a
young man had fallen off rocks while hiking near White Rock Wash.
Rangers and Mohave County Sheriff's Office personnel responded and found
that the 17-year-old Las Vegas boy had died in the fall. J.K. and
two friends had been hiking when he decided to attempt to scale a
wall. He was not using any climbing gear or safety equipment of
any kind. J.K. reached a point where he could no longer go up the face
of the rock. He was attempting to climb back down when he fell about 75
feet to his death. This area of the park is popular among hikers who
visit the Arizona Hot Springs on Lake Mohave. White Rock Wash is located
in Arizona and can be accessed at about mile marker 5 on U.S. 93 (south
of Hoover Dam). This is the park's fourth fatality this year. [Submitted
by Roxanne Dey, Public Affairs Specialist]
Friday, May 27, 2005
Lake Mead National Recreation Area (AZ,NV)
Four Arrested For Contract Murder
On Thursday, May 19th, T.H., 44, of Las Vegas was found shot to death
on Northshore Drive at about 11:45 pm. An investigation by Las
Vegas Metro Police, the FBI and the NPS revealed that T.H. was the
victim of a contract murder. L.A.H. III, 24, A.E., 33, K.C., 29, and
D.C., 24, were subsequently arrested. Each faces charges of murder and
conspiracy to commit murder. L.A.H. and A.E. are the son and daughter of
the owner of the Palomino Club, an all-nude strip club in North Las
Vegas. The pair hired K.C. and D.c. to kill T.H. because of a dispute
involving the family's businesses. K.C. was arrested on Saturday after a
two-hour standoff with SWAT officers. L.A.H. and A.E. were arrested
Tuesday following raids on the Palomino Club and another family
business, Simone's Auto Plaza. D.c. was arrested on Wednesday.
[Submitted by Scott Hinson, SAC, Pacific West Region]
Friday, May 27, 2005
Lake Mead National Recreation Area (AZ,NV)
Rangers Involved In Pursuit Of Armed Robber
On May 26th, rangers responded to a call for assistance from Arizona
DPS after a vehicle failed to stop at the Arizona checkpoint. The
vehicle continued north towards Hoover Dam, where anti-vehicle ramps
were deployed, blocking the vehicle's access to the dam. A Hoover Dam
officer who tried to stop the vehicle was shot at, but not hit. One of
the occupants was suspected of robbing a bank in Arizona and another was
later determined to be a hostage. The vehicle fled south on Highway 93.
Stop sticks were deployed by Wackenhut security guards near mile nine on
Highway 93, but the vehicle continued south. Responding rangers began a
search of side roads and pull-offs south of the Arizona checkpoint until
they were advised that Kingman PD was in pursuit of the vehicle on
Interstate 40, approximately 60 miles south of Hoover Dam, and were
being shot at by the suspected bank robber. He had carjacked another
vehicle and shot the driver after the stop sticks were deployed. The
pursuit ended when Arizona DPS shot and killed him near Kingman.
[Submitted by Chris Largent, Supervisory Ranger]
Friday, May 27, 2005
Lake Mead National Recreation Area (AZ,NV)
Search Culminates In Discovery Of Woman's Body
At about 2:45 p.m. on May 26th, rangers and Las Vegas Metropolitan
Police Department officers found the body of K.J.H. in an
unnamed wash in the Callville Bay area of Lake Mead. The 48-year-old
Henderson, Nevada, woman is believed to have died from exposure. She had
come to Lake Mead with a male friend on the evening of May 24th to go
swimming in a remote cove. When the vehicle they were driving
became stuck in the dirt, they left it and headed toward the water.
Somewhere along the way, they became separated. At about 7:35 a.m. on
May 26th, K.J.H.'s companion returned to Northshore Road and flagged
down a passing NPS maintenance worker for help. The Clark County coroner
was called and will determine the exact cause of death. [Submitted
by Roxanne Dey, PUblic Affairs Officer]
Friday, August 19, 2005
Lake Mead National Recreation Area (AZ,NV)
Police Officer Injured in Training Program Accident
A Henderson Police Department officer was injured in a motorcycle
accident on Northshore Road just before 8 a.m. on August 11th. The
officer was one of five students participating in a four week HPD motor
officer training course. The officers were on a training ride and this
was the last day of the third week of their training program. They were
traveling in a staggered line formation, with two instructors in the
front followed by the five students and then two additional instructors
in the rear. The officer injured was on the inside line of riders in the
fourth position and drifted off the roadway near the end of a left hand
turn. The officer remained upright, but the motorcycle then tumbled
violently. The remaining officers on scene requested emergency services
and rangers were dispatched from the Northshore and Boulder Districts.
Rangers arrived on scene and provided medical assistance to the patient.
The officer was transported via helicopter to University Medical Center
in Las Vegas, where he was treated and released. The National Park
Service and the Henderson Police Department are investigating the
accident. [Submitted by Mary Hinson, Deputy Chief Ranger]
Tuesday, September 6, 2005
Lake Mead National Recreation Area (AZ,NV)
Fatal Boat Accident
At about 3:30 p.m. on Wednesday, August 31st, 70-year-old N.K.
of Michigan was fatally injured in a tragic boating accident at Lake
Mead. She and four other people were boating near Willow Beach on the
Nevada side of the Colorado River when the driver of the boat made an
evasive maneuver that ejected her from the boat. H.K. was pulled from
the water and transported to Willow Beach, where bystanders began and
continued CPR until park rangers and rescue personnel arrived on scene.
Mercy Air personnel administered advance life support and H.K. was
transported to University Medical Center, where she later died of her
injuries. The exact cause of the accident is currently under
investigation. This was the 16th fatality in the park this calendar
year. [Submitted by Chris Largent, Supervisory Park Ranger]
Monday, September 12, 2005
Lake Mead NRA
Multiple Incidents, Fatalities on Labor Day Weekend
Despite gasoline prices at an all time high, visitation to
the park was high over the weekend, registering only a minor drop
(189,219 people visited). Rangers managed the crowds with the continued
help and support of numerous local agencies. Over the course of the
weekend, rangers responded to 1,482 incidents, issued 69 citations, and
made 4,107 visitor contacts. Significant incidents for the weekend
included four fatalities, multiple arrests, multiple emergency service
medical responses and multiple search and rescue incidents. Among them
were the following:
September 3rd - A 64-year-old man who was boating with
friends drowned on Lake Mohave after he got out of the boat to take a
swim. Witnesses said that he was not wearing a life jacket at the time
and that he was unable to hold on to a boat fender that was thrown to
him when he started to experience trouble. Alcohol is not believed to
have been a factor.
September 4th - A 30-year-old man who was recreating with
several of his friends drowned when he attempted to swim to an off-shore
peninsula. He was reported to be a poor swimmer and was not wearing a
life jacket at the time.
September 4th - A 14-year-old girl from Bullhead City who
was being towed behind a boat was hit in the head by a jet skier
estimated to be traveling at 40 mph. She remained unconscious on scene.
She was intubated and airlifted to University Medical Center, where she
later died as a result of her injuries. The operator of the jet ski was
arrested for boating under the influence and transported to Laughlin.
September 4th - A 45-year-old man who had consumed 18
beers climbed up a cliff and jumped off. He landed on the outdrive of a
vessel and sustained multiple propeller cuts to both arms and legs,
including a laceration over the femoral hip/groin area. A visitor on
scene placed a tourniquet on the wound using a bungee cord and metal
barbeque tongs. The man was air lifted to University Medical Center.
September 4th - Members of an interagency law enforcement
team met at Placer Cove to conduct a saturation patrol in the area,
including Aztec Wash. Law enforcement rangers and officers from the
National Park Service, US Forest Service and US Fish and Wildlife
Service made numerous educational contacts and issued citations for
possession of controlled substance and fishing violations.
Proactive patrols and aggressive enforcement and education
for boating and water use activities continued to be a high priority for
park service personnel throughout the weekend. [Mary Hinson, Deputy
Chief Ranger]
Thursday, December 1, 2005
Lake Mead NRA
Felony Arrests
On the morning of November 1st, rangers
responded to the Boulder Beach Campground to investigate a report of two
visitors who had failed to pay camping fees. During the course of the
investigation, the rangers determined that the pair had provided them
with false information. A search of their vehicle and campsite revealed
drug paraphernalia and items associated with identity theft. Further
investigation revealed that the items confiscated were associated with
numerous crimes that had taken place in the states of Montana and
Nevada. The U.S. Secret Service was contacted and both subjects were
arrested on felony charges. A joint investigation is underway. [Mary
Hinson, Deputy Chief Ranger]
Monday, December 5, 2005
Lake Mead NRA
Attempted Suicide, Life Saved
On the evening of November 11th, rangers received a report
that a woman somewhere in the area of Saddle Cove had attempted to
commit suicide by mixing alcohol and hydracodone. The reporting party,
who remained on the phone with emergency dispatch, provided directions
to responding rangers. Upon arrival, they found a woman with an altered
level of consciousness. Due to the remote location, a decision was made
to move the woman to the roadway to meet with rescue personnel. Prior to
moving her, she became unconscious and stopped breathing. Advanced life
support measures were applied and continued until Mercy Air personnel
arrived on scene. The woman was then transported to University Medical
Center for further treatment. [Mary Hinson, Deputy Chief Ranger]
Friday, December 9, 2005
Lake Mead NRA
Kidnapper Killed by Metro PD SWAT Officer; Hostage Rescued Unharmed
On December 5th, park dispatch reported receiving a "be on
the lookout" message for a man who'd kidnapped a woman in Las Vegas.
Shortly thereafter, the kidnapper called 911 and reported that he was in
the park with the hostage with the intent to kill her and commit
suicide. A Metro PD helicopter located the vehicle in a remote area off
North Shore Drive. Rangers and special agents responded and secured the
area. A Metro SWAT team and emergency service personnel were dispatched
to the area and a unified command was established. Further information
from the helicopter confirmed that both the kidnapper and his hostage
were in the area. Metro SWAT entered the area and located the kidnapper.
Shots were fired, and medical personnel were requested. A Metro SWAT
officer had shot and killed the kidnapper. The hostage was recovered
unharmed. This incident is currently under investigation by Las Vegas
Metropolitan Police Department. [Mary Hinson, Deputy Chief Ranger]
Friday, February 10, 2006
Lake Mead NRS
Rangers Assist in Confrontation at Hoover Dam
On Monday, February 6th, a 47-year-old man forced himself into the home of a
Henderson, Nevada, woman and subsequently stole her vehicle. He then drove to
Hoover Dam, where he failed to stop at the security checkpoint and continued
towards the dam. When he reached a second security point, he rammed a Hoover Dam
patrol vehicle, injuring the officer, then fled back towards Boulder City with
other Hoover Dam police officers in pursuit. Along the way, he intentionally
rammed several citizen's vehicles. Rangers followed the chase until the vehicle
was disabled by spike strips deployed by Boulder City PD officers. As rangers
and Hoover Dam officers were taking the man into custody, a responding Boulder
City police vehicle collided with one of the parked and unoccupied NPS patrol
vehicles. As it spun around, it struck one of the rangers, causing minor
injuries, and forced another ranger to take evasive action, which also caused
minor injuries. The man was transferred to police in Henderson, where several
felony charges are pending against him. Federal charges will be filed shortly.
The Hoover Dam officer and the two rangers were taken to local hospitals, where
they were treated and released. The Boulder City PD officer was not injured.
[Mary Hinson, Deputy Chief Ranger]
Wednesday, March 22, 2006
Lake Mead NRA
Body of Homicide Victim Found
On Saturday, March 6th, a visitor walking his dog along the shoreline of Lake
Mead found the body of a woman in tall grasses near the Government Wash launch
ramp. Park special agents and rangers investigated and found that she had likely
been murdered and dumped from a vehicle. Las Vegas Metro PD homicide detectives
have joined the investigation. The woman has been identified as a 21-year-old
Las Vegas resident. The manner and cause of death are being determined by a
Clark County medical examiner. [Mike Blandford, Special Agent)
Wednesday, April 26, 2006
Lake Mead NRA
Drug and Theft Arrest
On April 19th, a park special agent made a traffic stop on a Dodge truck
towing a Wells Cargo trailer in the Boulder Beach District after the truck
failed to yield the right of way at an intersection. The 39-year-old driver, who
could not produce a driver's license or registration, appeared to be under the
influence of alcohol or drugs. The agent spotted what appeared to be a
semi-automatic Glock pistol on the floorboard, later determined to be a plastic
pistol with the orange color carved off the barrel. The driver was frisked and a
crack pipe was found in his pants pocket. When advised that he was under arrest,
he fled on foot toward Boulder Beach Campground, where he was arrested after a
short chase by the agent and a ranger. The man's backpack was found to contain a
significant amount of methamphetamine and marijuana. Investigation revealed that
the truck had been embezzled from Enterprise Rent-a-Car and that the trailer was
also reported as stolen. The truck and trailer contained numerous stolen and
suspected stolen items, including a stolen Suzuki motorcycle, two portable
generators, a personal watercraft, autographed collectable baseballs, and about
$10,000 worth of hand and power tools. Further investigation by park special
agents led to the discovery that the man had been living in a stolen fifth-wheel
RV at Lakeshore Trailer Village, which has also been recovered. Found inside the
trailer were several stolen license plates and numerous other items believed to
have been stolen, including stereo equipment, a television, wristwatches and
narcotics paraphernalia. [Mike Blandford, Special Agent]
Monday, May 15, 2006
Lake Mead NRA
Two Drownings Reported Over Weekend
Two drownings occurred in the park this past weekend - the first on Friday
afternoon, the second on Saturday evening. The first incident was reported just
after 5 p.m. on Friday. A visitor notified park dispatch that a 39-year-old man
had been swimming off a houseboat north of Echo Bay on the Arizona side of the
lake when he went underwater and failed to resurface. The missing swimmer was
part of a group of about 30 visitors from California on three houseboats.
Rangers were on scene within a half hour and began dive operations in an effort
to find his body; at the time of the report, the search was still underway. On
Saturday evening, dispatch received another call reporting a possible drowning,
this time a 16-year-old man from North Las Vegas. Rangers were told that he and
a friend went swimming from the Government Wash area on the Nevada side of the
lake out towards an island. The boy began having difficulty and called for help.
Two other young men in the party swam out to him, but were unable to keep him
from disappearing beneath the surface. Rangers searched the area for several
hours on Saturday night, but were unable to find him. The park's dive team is
searching for his body. [Roxanne Dey, Public Affairs Specialist]
Tuesday, May 16, 2006
Lake Mead NRA
Boating Accident, Follow-up on Drownings
On the afternoon of Saturday, May 13th, an 18-year-old woman from California
was critically injured when hit by a boat propeller. The woman was riding on the
back of a personal watercraft (PWC) being driven by a 16-year-old girl when the
PWC drove in front of a boat operated by a 16-year-old male. He tried to avoid
the PWC, but was not able to miss it completely. The boat hit the rear end of
the PWC and the passenger was hit several times by the boat's propeller. A
witness to the accident called for help at about 2:20 p.m. and brought the
injured woman to the launch ramp. She was treated by rangers and EMS personnel,
then flown to UMC Trauma in Las Vegas. Meanwhile, searches continued yesterday
for the two people who drowned in the lake over the weekend. On Sunday morning,
rangers and the park's dive team recovered the body of the 16-year-old who
drowned on Saturday night. They then resumed the search for the 39-year-old man
who disappeared on Friday night in Overton Arm (not the Arizona side of the park
as was previously reported). The search proved fruitless, though, and was called
off at 5 p.m. [Roxanne Dey, Public Affairs Specialist]
Wednesday, May 24, 2006
Lake Mead NRA
Two Fatalities on Same Day
Two visitors died in lake waters on Sunday, May 21st. A ranger on boat patrol
in mid-afternoon came upon an unoccupied personal watercraft (PWC) near Temple
Bar in Lake Mead. There was nobody in the vicinity. About an hour later, the
ranger learned that there had been three women on the PWC. The ranger and a
Temple Bar concession employee found an exhausted 33-year-old woman in the water
near Delmar Bay at 5:10 p.m. Shortly thereafter, they found the other two women
not far away. One, age 24, was extremely tired but alive; the other, age 69, had
expired. All three women were wearing life jackets. Rangers believe wind and
wave action caused the women to be separated from the PWC and each other. At
about the same time, a ranger was on foot patrol in the South Telephone Cove
area on the Arizona side of Lake Mohave. Two adults ran up to him and reported
that their four-year-old daughter had been in the water on a raft and had fallen
into the lake. Rangers on a boat found her body in the lake about a half hour
later. A lake wind advisory was in effect for the park at the time that both
fatalities occurred. Both victims are believed to have drowned. [Roxanne Dey,
Public Affairs Specialist]
Tuesday, May 30, 2006
Lake Mead NRA
Three People Die on Lakes Mead and Mohave Over Weekend
Three people died in Lakes Mead and Mohave over the Memorial Day weekend. All
are believed to have drowned:
On the afternoon of May 26th, the park received a marine band radio call
reporting a woman in the water and needing immediate medical attention near
Princess Cove on Lake Mohave. The caller also reported that the woman had been
operating a personal watercraft (PWC) with two passengers aboard. Rangers and
Bullhead City FD paramedics reached the cove by road within minutes and were
soon joined by rangers who arrived by boat. CPR was begun but proved
unsuccessful. The two passengers told rangers that they'd been in the water for
30 to 60 minutes and had not been able to get back onto their PWC. Rangers
believe that wind and wave action were significant factors in the 32-year-old
woman's death. A lake wind advisory was in effect at the time, with sustained
winds of 20 to 30 mph and gusts of up to 40 mph. At least eleven other visitors
were rescued from Lakes Mead and Mohave that day. All were on vessels affected
by strong winds and high waves.
Visitors on a houseboat found a body floating in Lake Mead around 5 p.m. on
May 27th. The victim is believed to be a 21-year-old man who'd been reported
missing the previous day. The man and a 22-year-old female companion had headed
out on the late in a small vessel around 11 a.m. on Friday, May 26th. They were
reported missing at 7:30 p.m. About an hour later, rangers found the woman in
the water. She was wearing a life jacket and told them that her boyfriend was
also in the water and wearing a life jacket. An interagency search was begun,
but had to be called off around midnight due to extremely windy conditions.
A seven-year-old girl who was on a raft and not wearing a life jacket was
carried out into the lake near Boulder Beach by strong winds on the evening of
May 27th. Witnesses told responding rangers that she did not know how to swim.
Her body was found by visitors around 7 p.m.
The three deaths were the ninth, tenth and eleventh fatalities to occur in
the park this year. [Roxanne Dey, Public Affairs Officer]
Tuesday, June 13, 2006
Lake Mead NRA
Las Vegas Man Drowns in Lake
Park dispatch received a call on the afternoon of June 10th reporting that a
24-year-old Las Vegas man had gone into the water near Government Wash and
failed to resurface. According to witnesses, the man could not swim and was not
wearing a life jacket. Rangers and state game wardens responded, but were unable
to find him. The park dive team was therefore called in and recovered his body
about two hours after the initial report. This was the 13th fatality at Lake
Mead NRA this calendar year. [Roxanne Dey, Public Affairs Specialist]
Monday, July 17, 2006
Lake Mead NRA
Interagency Fireworks Enforcement Operation
The Southern Nevada Area Partnership (SNAP) interagency law enforcement team
joined officers from the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department and the Nevada
Highway Patrol to conduct fireworks enforcement patrols and checkpoints on
public lands in southern Nevada, including the park, from June 30th to July 4th.
The purpose of the enforcement effort was to prevent fireworks use on public
lands and wildfire starts from their use. As a result of the operation, no
wildfire starts were reported, 20,000 pounds of fireworks were seized, numerous
visitors were contacted, many citations were issued and several arrests were
made. The SNAP team was created in 2002, with the first rangers/patrol officers
hired in 2004. For the past two years, rangers/patrol officers have been
conducting patrols and scheduled joint operations on federal lands surrounding
the Las Vegas Valley, primarily focusing on unified and cost-effective
approaches for the management, conservation, preservation and protection of
visitors and natural and cultural resources. The Fourth of July joint operation
was hosted by the Forest Service. For more information on the team or the event,
please contact David Leveille, patrol captain on the Humboldt-Toiyabe National
Forest, at 775-355-5399, or interagency resource protection law enforcement
specialist John Tesar at 702-293-8944. [Mary Hinson, Chief Ranger]
Monday, July 24, 2006
Lake Mead NRA
Presumed Drowning In Lake Mead
Park dispatch received a call around 9 p.m. on Thursday, July 20th, reporting
that a 26-year-old Las Vegas man had gone into the lake for a swim with friends
but had failed to return to shore. Rangers found that a group of five men had
been fishing in a cove, and that three of them had decided to go for a swim.
Only two returned. A search was begun, suspended at 12:30 a.m., then resumed
during the day. His body was found on the first dive. He is presumed to have
drowned. [Roxanne Dey, Public Affairs]
Wednesday, July 26, 2006
Lake Mead NRA
Successful Search For Missing Man
Park dispatch received a call around 6 a.m. on Monday, July 23rd, reporting a
missing man. G.O., 42, of Las Vegas, Nevada, had come to Callville Bay
on Sunday to go boating and camping with friends. At about 1 a.m., he walked
away from this group and became lost in the desert without water. At about 3
a.m., G.O. called a friend on his cell phone and told him that he was lost
near Callville Bay. The friend came to the park to try and find him but was
unsuccessful and called rangers for help. Rescue personnel were chiefly
concerned about the effect of heat on G.O., as the temperature hit at least
117 degrees on Sunday. When last contacted by cell phone, G.O. told his friend
that he was on a big rock in the desert and that he was hot and tired. Joining
the search were the park's aircraft, Metro PD SAR teams, a Metro PD helicopter,
and an interagency fire crew and helicopter. Rangers and special agents were
able to reach one of the members of G.O.'s party around 5 p.m. and found that
the group had actually been on the Arizona side of the lake when G.O. went
walking in the desert. The interagency helicopter began a search of that side of
the park and he was spotted within 15 minutes. G.O. was picked up by a ranger
boat just before 7 p.m. He was dehydrated but otherwise okay. [Roxanne Dey,
Public Affairs Officer]
HYPERLINK
"http://www.reviewjournal.com/lvrj_home/2006/Jul-25-Tue-2006/news/8676554.html"
Tuesday, August 15, 2006
Lake Mead NRA
Probable Drowning At Las Vegas Bay
L.M., 43, of Brooklyn, New York, was boating and tubing with
friends on Lake Mead on the afternoon of August 9th when he jumped into the lake
to cool off, went underwater, and disappeared. It took his friends about 15
minutes to find him and pull him from the water. They made a 911 call, which was
routed to a county fire dispatcher who gave them instructions on how to perform
CPR and determined that they were near Lake Mead Marina. The caller then told
the dispatcher that he thought that they were in fact near Las Vegas Boat
Harbor. The dispatcher contacted the park and provided both possible locations,
and rangers began searching the Boulder Basin area from the marina to the boat
harbor. About a half hour later, a second 911 call came in and was this time
transferred immediately to the park's dispatch center. The park dispatcher also
gave the caller CPR instructions and determined that the group was actually at
Las Vegas Bay. Rangers and a medevac helicopter were dispatched to the area.
Medics continued resuscitation efforts for the better part of an hour before
they were terminated by medical control. Drowning is considered the likely cause
of death. This was the 20th fatality at the park this year. If the coroner
confirms that it was a drowning, it will be the eighth drowning of the year.
There were six drownings and a total of 25 fatalities in 2005. [Roxanne Dey,
Public Affairs Officer]
Friday, September 8, 2006
Lake Mead NRA
Multiple Incidents And Rescues Mark Labor Day Weekend
Sun, fun and ideal weather conditions brought thousands of visitors to the
park over the Labor Day weekend. For the third time this year, park staff saw
more visitors over the course of a weekend than many parks see in an entire
year. Rangers, interagency dispatchers and law enforcement personnel from the
park and several state and county law enforcement agencies rose to the challenge
and provided exceptional service to the 153,755 visitors recorded over the
holiday weekend. On one of the busiest weekends on record, rangers responded to
1,610 incidents, issued 219 citations and made 3,565 visitor contacts.
Interagency dispatchers recorded in excess of 11,000 calls, including both radio
traffic and phones. Significant incidents for the weekend included a major SAR
for a missing boater, three lives saved in two separate incidents, 24 arrests
(the majority associated with alcohol), 13 EMS responses, and nine search and
rescue incidents. Proactive patrols and aggressive enforcement and education for
boating, water use activities, speeding, and alcohol and disorderly conduct
continued to be a high priority for all hands. Incidents included the
following:
On Saturday, September 2nd, rangers and rescue personnel responded to a
report of an overturned vehicle near the Wetlands trailhead. A car containing
two adults and two juveniles had left the road and rolled down an embankment.
All four had gotten out by themselves and refused medical treatment. The driver
was found to be intoxicated and was arrested for operating under the influence.
Shortly thereafter, a park pilot on aerial patrol saw another vehicle doing
doughnuts in the Government Wash parking area. Rangers intercepted the driver at
the Lake Mead Drive entrance station and found that he was very intoxicated. He
was also arrested.
On Sunday, rangers dealt with multiple assault calls throughout the park.
While patrolling in the Boulder District, a ranger saw a man who was operating a
vehicle beating his female partner, who was holding a three-month-old baby. The
vehicle was stopped and the driver was arrested. During that call, rangers
elsewhere in the Boulder District responded to a report of a fight in progress
on a moving vessel near Lake Mead Marina. Rangers used pepper spray when the man
refused to comply with their orders. He was arrested, taken to a local hospital
for observation, then transported to jail. While en route to a request for
assistance at another incident in the Boulder District, officers from
cooperating agencies were notified of a stabbing in the Place Cove area. They
found that a man had suffered non-life-threatening wounds to his head and face.
Suspects matching the description of the assailants were found to be associated
with the MS 13 and 18th and 38th Street gangs. Other law enforcement officers
were called in, including NPS special agents, members of Las Vegas Metro's gang
unit, and officers from BLM and the Forest Service. There were no arrests, but
several suspects were identified.
Three lives were saved in two separate incidents later on that same day.
Rangers in the Boulder District were dispatched to a report of a drowning near
Government Wash. Rescuers began CPR and continued it for about ten minutes until
Mercy Air medical personnel arrived and took over. The victim regained a pulse
and breathing before being taken to University Medical Center. Elsewhere,
rangers and Nevada Division of Wildlife officers responded to a report of a
woman who'd fallen and injured her head near mile marker 33 on Lake Mohave. The
74-year-old woman was found at the top of a 100-foot cliff. She and her husband
had been driving down an adjacent wash when their Jeep broke down. They hiked
about three miles toward the lake, where both began to experience the effects of
severe dehydration. Temperatures at the time exceeded 110 degrees. Immediate
cooling and c-spine treatments were begun. The woman was flown out by Mercy
Air.
[Mary Hinson, Chief Ranger]
Monday, October 16, 2006
Lake Mead NRA
Areas Closed Due To Storms And Flooding
The park closed several areas on Saturday due to damage caused by heavy rains
and flooding. The Willow Beach access road washed out, stranding a number of
employees and visitors. Initial estimates were that the road would be closed for
at least a couple of days. Plans were to boat people down to Cottonwood Cove,
then bus them back to Boulder City, Henderson or Las Vegas. Willow Beach is 13
miles south of Hoover dam and is on the Arizona Side of Lake Mohave. At the time
of the report (Saturday), efforts were also underway to rescue a group of 39
visitors stranded in Black Canyon. Their canoes, kayaks and tents had all been
washed away. Black Canyon is the area from Hoover Dam south to Willow Beach. The
St. Thomas Road, just north of Overton Beach Marina, was also washed out.
[Roxanne Dey, Public Affairs Officer]
Thursday, October 19, 2006
Lake Mead NRA
Follow-up On Storm Impacts
As was reported this past Monday (click on "More Information" for the
original report), the park closed several areas on Saturday, October 14th, due
to damage caused by heavy rains and flooding. The Willow Beach access road
washed out, stranding a number of employees and visitors; another group of 36
people were stranded in Black Canyon; and the St. Thomas access road washed out.
Here's what's happened since then:
Saturday - Rangers and Forever Resorts concession employees rescued
the people stranded in Black Canyon. The visitors, who had been on canoe and
kayaking trips, were rafted back to Willow Beach, then shuttled by rangers up
the washed out access road to Highway 93. The visitors stranded at Willow Beach
were also shuttled out. Forever Resorts provided shuttle buses from that point
back to their office in Boulder City. NPS maintenance crews began work on
repairs to the Willow Beach access road. All river trips in Black Canyon were
cancelled. St. Thomas access road remained closed. River rafting, canoeing and
kayaking trips in Black Canyon were suspended.
Sunday - The Willow Beach and St. Thomas access roads remained closed.
Concession trips on the river in Black Canyon remained suspended.
Monday - Engineers and park staff began evaluating the Willow Beach
access road and determined that it will have to remain closed for at least a
week. The St. Thomas access road also remained closed. Concession trips on the
river in Black Canyon remained suspended.
There were no reported injuries, fatalities or missing persons as a result of
the storm and subsequent flooding. [Roxanne Dey, Public Affairs Officer]
HYPERLINK
"http://inside.nps.gov/index.cfm?handler=viewincidentsarticle&type=Incidents&id=2918"
Monday, October 30, 2006
Lake Mead NRA
Boat Fire At Lake Mead Marina
Park rescue personnel, concession employees and Clark County firefighters
responded to a vessel fire at Lake Mead Marina on Wednesday, October 25th. A
cabin cruiser, located on the B dock, was found to be fully engulfed in flames.
Quick action and a two-and-a-half-hour coordinated response stopped the fire
from spreading throughout the marina. The marina, located in the Boulder
District, has three main docks and moorings for hundreds of vessels. Because of
current low water conditions, responders had to haul firefighting equipment 1500
feet down a head walk and out onto the marina. Once the fire was contained, the
vessel was cut loose and towed to a location where it was safely extinguished.
Due to the quick response and heroic efforts by responders, there were no deaths
or injuries and only minimal damage to the marina and surrounding vessels. [Mary
Hinson, Chief Ranger]
Wednesday, November 1, 2006
Lake Mead NRA
Two Roads To Reopen On Saturday
The park continues to recover from flash flooding caused by heavy rains on
the weekend of October 14th. Willow Beach Access Road and Lower Portal Road will
reopen on Saturday, November 4th. The former will open at 2 a.m. on Saturday as
a courtesy to fisherman who like to access the area in the early morning hours.
Lower Portal Road will be open to the river rafting concessioner and to canoe
and kayaking permit holders from November 4th until November 26th, then will
closed until January 30th for previously scheduled site improvements. (Roxanne
Dey, Public Affairs Specialist]
Monday, November 6, 2006
Lake Mead NRA
Entrance Station Break-In
Park dispatch received a burglary alarm from the Lake Mead Boulevard entrance
station on November 1st. Boulder rangers were immediately dispatched. They found
that one of the doors of the building was open, cleared the building, then began
an investigation. They discovered that the burglars had first attempted to gain
access to the entrance station by smashing rocks against the bulletproof window.
When that failed, they pried open the steel maintenance door at the rear of the
building, got inside, then smashed through a wall to gain entry to the area
where the safe was located. They failed to open the safe, so turned their
attention to a cash register, smashing the empty register open. The interior
security camera was ripped off the wall, but the recording device remained
intact and is being reviewed. Although unsuccessful in stealing any money, the
burglars caused about $5,000 in damage. Las Vegas Metro CSI assisted in the
investigation by retrieving a significant number of finger and shoe prints from
the scene. The case is currently being investigated by rangers and park special
agents. [Chief Ranger's Office]
Tuesday, January 23, 2007
Lake Mead NRA
Major Illegal Dumping Site Discovered
On December 28th, rangers found a large illegal dumping
site while on patrol near the River Mountains just east of Henderson,
Nevada. The dump was located on Bureau of Land Management land,
bordering both the park and Bureau of Reclamation properties. Strong
winds and recent storms in the area had spread trash from the site
(approximately three truck-loads of blueprint documents) onto all three
jurisdictions. A cardboard box with a FedEx shipping detail was
collected at the scene. Special agents from the NPS and BLM were
contacted and conducted an investigation that lead them to a company
located in Las Vegas named Energy Inspectors. During an interview, two
employees from the company, M.D.R. and J.S.,
admitted to dumping the blueprints over a two-month period at the
location. They both returned to the site and removed the trash. The case
will be prosecuted by BLM. The joint investigation is one of many that
have occurred over the past three years in Clark County as a result of
the southern Nevada area partnership interagency law enforcement team.
The team includes rangers - and, more recently, special agents - from
the Bureau of Land Management, National Park Service, US Forest Service
and US Fish and Wildlife Service. The team was created in 2004 as a
result of the Southern Nevada Public Lands Management Act. For more
information on the team, please feel free to contact interagency
resource protection specialist John Tesar, who can be reached at
702-293-8944. [Paul Crawford, Acting Supervisory Special Agent]
Wednesday, March 21, 2007
Lake Mead NRA
Rollover Accident With Fatality, Seven Injuries
A van carrying eight juveniles rolled over near mile
marker 9 on the Cottonwood access road sometime after midnight on March
14th. A 14-year-old girl died on impact. Just before 5 a.m., a visitor
came upon the accident and reported it as a rollover accident with two
victims. Clark County dispatched a volunteer fire and rescue team from
Searchlight; park dispatch was notified shortly thereafter. Arriving
rangers found four people at the accident scene - one who showed no
signs of life, one who was critically injured, and two others who were
injured but alert and oriented. The critically injured victim was flown
out by helicopter to a hospital. Although the injured juveniles said
that nobody else had been in the vehicle, a fifth juvenile, also
critically injured, was soon found some distance from the scene. She was
flown out by a second helicopter. One of the other occupants
subsequently reported that there were seven people in the vehicle, so
rangers began searching for the others. They found three of them -
making the total eight, not seven - at the Cottonwood swim beach five
miles away. They'd walked from the accident scene to the beach, but
hadn't notified anyone of the accident. The Nevada Highway Patrol's
CRASH investigation detail, comprised of experts in traffic accident
investigation, was called in to assist. Initial investigation revealed
that all eight juveniles lived in the same trailer park in North Las
Vegas, and that the van had been taken without permission from another
resident of the trailer park. They'd been camping at Cottonwood and had
evidently gone to Searchlight for supplies around 11 p.m. The accident
occurred while they were on their way back. Nevada Highway Patrol
officers drew blood from the driver, but there was a delay of about
eight hours between the time of the accident and the time of the blood
draw. Alcohol is believed to have been a contributing factor. [Lena
Boesser-Koschmann, Supervisory Park Ranger]
Thursday, March 29, 2007
Lake Mead NRA
Driver Rescued From Submerged Vehicle
On the afternoon of March 17th, rangers received a report
of a submerged vehicle at the Callville Bay launch ramp. When they
arrived, they found a completely submerged vehicle with the driver
trapped inside. Rescue and extrication efforts were underway by United
States Navy personnel and the driver's 16-year-old nephew. Extrication
proved difficult, though, as the driver was entangled in his seatbelt.
The nephew therefore had to enter the vehicle in order to release his
uncle. Live saving measures were begun as soon as he was brought to
shore. The man was unconscious and not breathing, but spontaneously
resumed breathing after his head was repositioned. He was flown via air
ambulance to University Medical Center, where he was treated and
released. The man evidently suffered a seizure while attempting to
retrieve his vessel. The nephew is being credited with saving his
uncle's life and has been nominated for DOI's "Citizen's Award for
Bravery." [Eric Lisnik, Mead District Ranger]
Friday, April 13, 2007
Lake Mead NRA
Incendiary Device Removed From Park
On April 10th, rangers were approached by a visitor who
was holding what she identified as an "explosive device." It was inside
a cardboard tube that had been opened on one side. She told rangers that
she found it on the frontage road below Boulder Beach Campground.
On-scene personnel identified the device as live military ordnance and
immediately closed the area. The Las Vegas Metro Police Department bomb
squad and the Nellis Air Force Base explosive ordnance disposal unit
were dispatched to the area and the device was removed. They determined
that the ordnance was an incendiary device capable of incinerating the
person holding it and causing serious injury and death to anyone nearby.
The immediate action taken by park staff significantly reduced the risk
exposure to the public and responding personnel. The point of origin is
still under investigation. [Eric Lisnik, Mead District Ranger]
Wednesday, May 9, 2007
Lake Mead NRA
One Killed, Three Critically Injured In Auto Accident
On May 3rd, rangers in the Mead District responded to a
911 report of a rollover motor vehicle accident with entrapment on
Lakeshore Road. Upon arrival, they found an overturned vehicle with four
people inside - one dead and three in critical condition - and a fifth
person with moderate injuries outside. The occupants of the second
vehicle involved in the accident sustained moderate injuries. Rangers
extricated two of the critically injured victims and provided advanced
life support until medevac helicopters arrived. They were flown to a
trauma center by Mercy Air, while the other four were taken by ambulance
to local hospitals. Assisting at the accident scene were officers and
rescue personnel from Boulder City PD, Henderson Fire and Rescue, Nevada
Division of Wildlife, and Hoover Dam PD. Because of the fatality, the
accident is being investigated by the Nevada Highway Patrol. The rangers
have been credited with saving the lives of the two critically injured
victims due to their immediate response and their actions at the scene.
During the accident investigation, a drunk driver failed to yield at a
roadblock and entered the accident scene. He was arrested for DUI. [Bob
Trodahl, Fire Chief]
Wednesday, May 23, 2007
Lake Mead NRA
Assault On Ranger Checked By Taser
Last week, rangers responded to a report of an emotionally
disturbed man who'd reportedly told people at the Lake Mead Trailer
Village store that he'd been "swimming through blood." The rangers
contacted him near a vehicle that was packed with an assortment of
items. He was standing behind the open driver's door and was wearing
several layers of clothing, with a towel draped around his neck. He
refused to comply with repeated requests to move away from the vehicle
and show his hands. One ranger then drew a taser, while the other
attempted to gain control of the man. The man then struck the second
ranger, who also deployed a taser and subdued him. During the search
incident to arrest, the rangers found a knife and carpet cutter within
the towel draped around the man's neck. He was charged with assault on a
federal officer and with carrying a concealed weapon. The park receives
eight million visitors each year and on average arrests about 350 of
them. Last year, rangers responded to 48 calls requiring either the
display or use of force - 78% involving firearms, 18% involving
intermediate defensive equipment (including physical control
techniques), and 4% involving tasers. The taser program at Lake Mead was
put into effect parkwide late last year. This year, rangers have
responded to 26 calls requiring the display or use of force. Of these,
16 involved the display of a taser, with three of the 16 requiring use
of the taser to gain compliance. This tool has permitted rangers to gain
compliance without requiring them to draw their firearms or utilize
intermediate defensive equipment or physical control techniques that
entail a high exposure to and risk of serious injury and/or death. [Mary
Hinson, Chief Ranger]
Friday, May 25, 2007
Lake Mead NRA
Structural Fire In Concession Housing Area
Park firefighters responded to a report of a structural
fire in the concession employee housing area at Temple Bar around 2:30
a.m. on Sunday, May 20th. Temple Bar is situated within the Mohave
District on the Arizona side of Lake Mead and is considered to be a
remote location. Firefighters staffing Engine 8 arrived on scene to find
two structures fully engulfed in flames, with extension to a third
structure. A quick size-up revealed one person had sustained minor burns
and that all other people had been evacuated from the area. Outside
contingency resources were not available, requiring Engine 4 to respond
from Boulder Beach. Accepting no unnecessary risk, firefighters
conducted defensive operations to control exposure to additional
structures within the area. Quick action, coordinated team response and
a well-executed plan played an integral part to the success of this
operation. The cause of the fire is still under investigation. The park
has seven engines that provide fire suppression to nine developed areas
within Lake Mead. The park documented 31 engine responses in 2006. There
have been 16 so far this year. [Bob Trodahl, Fire Chief]
Tuesday, May 29, 2007
Lake Mead NRA
Boat Explosion Injures Four Men At Marina
Four men were injured, one critically, when a 30-foot boat
exploded after it was refueled at the Las Vegas Boat Harbor Marina on
Lake Mead last Thursday. The park learned of the explosion around 5 p.m.
when calls came in from the marina requesting emergency personnel. Two
of the men were airlifted to an area hospital, one with critical
injuries and the other with serious injuries. The other two men were
taken by ambulance to an area hospital with minor burns. All of the men
are from southern Nevada. The cause of the explosion is under
investigation. [Roxanne Dey, Public Affairs Officer]
Tuesday, June 5, 2007
Lake Mead NRA
PWC Operator's Body Recovered From Lake
Park dispatch received a call about a possible drowning at
Special Events Beach, a part of Boulder Beach on the Nevada side of the
park, around 6:30 p.m. on Sunday, June 3rd. Rangers and state wildlife
wardens responded in four boats and were on scene ten minutes later;
other rangers, wardens and EMS personnel responded by vehicle. A PWC
without a rider was found adrift off the beach, and operators of other
PWCs advised rangers regarding the point where he'd last been seen.
About an hour later, they recovered the body of a 44-year-old Las Vegas
man in 15 feet of water about 100 yards from shore. He was not wearing a
life jacket. An investigation is underway, but rangers have so far
determined the following: The man and a female companion launched their
PWCs at Special Events Beach. The man's PWC became disabled, and he may
have entered the water in an effort to determine what was wrong.
Witnesses soon saw him disappear under the lake's surface. Several
visitors on PWCs tried to find him, but were unsuccessful. This was the
11th fatality of the year at Lake Mead. [Roxanne Dey, Public Affairs
Officer]
Wednesday, June 6, 2007
Lake Mead NRA
Multiple Memorial Day Weekend Incidents
Once again, ideal weather conditions brought hundreds of
thousands of visitors to the park over the Memorial Day weekend. As has
been the case in the past, park staff this year saw more visitors over
the course of the holiday weekend than many parks see in an entire year
- nearly 250,000 visitors recorded over the period. Proactive patrols
and aggressive enforcement continued to be a high priority for NPS and
interagency personnel, who responded to 1,204 incidents. The interagency
dispatch center recorded more than 18,344 calls, including both radio
traffic and phones. Weekend statistics included 768 warnings, 201
citations, 16 arrests, 33 medicals, four search and rescue operations,
four structural fire responses, five wildland fire responses, and 2,118
visitor contacts. Significant incidents included:
Four lives saved in four separate incidents, including two
near drownings, a person in a diabetic coma and an infant who'd stopped
breathing;
Three assaults on federal officers, with four use-of-force
incidents and a taser deployment logged; and
Two dock fires and multiple bonfires put out in high fire
danger areas.
Lake Mead's implementation of the Coast Guard's model for
operational risk management (ORM) continues to play a significant role
in park operations. Over the course of the weekend, park personnel
"played to win" by displaying characteristics of a safe operation that
included well thought-out plans that addressed desired results, team
expectations, available resources and the use of the GAR (green, amber,
red) model to ensure that no unnecessary risks were taken. For more
information on ORM, please feel free to contact deputy chief ranger Dave
Horne at 702-293-8764 or visit this web site at HYPERLINK
"http://www.dirauxwest.org/TCTF/team_coordination_training.htm". [Mary
Hinson, Chief Ranger]
Monday, June 18, 2007
Lake Mead NRA
Water Skier Dies In Accident
Park dispatch received an emergency call reporting an
injury to a 25-year-old man around 5 p.m. on Thursday, June 14th. The
man had been water skiing at a high rate of speed in the Boulder Basin
area and evidently lost control and slammed into the water. Rangers,
state wardens and a Mercy Air 11 helicopter responded. Rangers attempted
to revive the man, but were unsuccessful. An investigation into the
cause of death is underway. This is the park's twelfth fatality this
year. [Roxanne Dey, Public Affairs Officer]
Tuesday, July 10, 2007
Lake Mead NRA
One Killed, Six Injured In Single-Vehicle Accident
A supervisory park ranger en route to work on July 5th
came upon a single vehicle rollover accident on Highway 93 just inside
the park. A quick initial assessment revealed that there were seven
victims - two in critical condition and five with minor injuries. The
two in critical condition were women who'd both sustained major trauma.
One had been ejected from the vehicle, the other was trapped inside. The
woman who'd been ejected was unconscious and unresponsive and was
immediately taken by ambulance to the nearest hospital in Boulder City,
where she was pronounced dead. The second woman was extricated and flown
to the UMC trauma center. The remaining five, including a two-year-old
boy, all had minor injuries and were taken by ambulance to the
University Medical Center. The accident is under investigation, alcohol
is not believed to be a factor. Assisting NPS rangers and wildland fire
personnel with the accident were units from Boulder City PD, Boulder
City Fire and Rescue, Hoover Dam PD, and the Nevada Highway Patrol.
[Mary Hinson, Chief Ranger]
Friday, July 20, 2007
Lake Mead NRA
Drowning In Lake Mohave
The park received an emergency call via marine band radio
on the afternoon of July 7th in which a woman reported that her husband
had disappeared while swimming in Lake Mohave. Rangers were on scene in
about six minutes. The operators of at least four private vessels who
heard the emergency call over the radio also responded to the area to
help locate the man. About an hour after the initial call for help came
in, the victim's body was located by one of the private citizens
assisting with the search. Rangers on the NPS dive team and a diver from
the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department recovered his body at about
8 p.m. The man's wife reported that a group of family members and their
pet dog had been boating and were swimming in the water. The couple had
brought along four nieces and nephews from Los Angeles on their trip.
They decided to head back to shore when the wind increased, creating
two- to three-foot wavers. When she reached shore, her husband was no
longer swimming behind her. Although the children were all wearing life
jackets and made it safely to shore, he did not have one on. About 99
percent of the drownings that have occurred in the park could have been
prevented if the victims had been wearing life jackets. [Roxanne Dey,
Public Affairs Officer]
Monday, July 30, 2007
Lake Mead NRA
Several Areas Damaged By Storms
Storm cells that passed over the park late last week caused
substantial damage at several locations:
Cottonwood Cove (Nevada side of Lake Mohave) - Trees were uprooted in
the lower campground and are being cleared by maintenance crews. The
upper campground has minor debris from overflowing irrigation ditches.
Both upper and lower campgrounds remain open.
Eldorado Canyon (Nevada side of Lake Mohave) - The access road off
Highway 165 was closed due to mud and debris blocking the road.
Maintenance crews were scheduled to clear the area after higher priority
storm damage areas were repaired and/or cleared.
Princess Cove (Arizona side of Lake Mohave) - The drainage area
adjacent to the parking lot sustained significant damage. Several
hundred feet of rip-rap used to prevent erosion on slopes has been
washed away along with curbing. That portion of the parking lot is
closed, but most of the rest of the lot remains usable. Maintenance
crews will work to repair this lot this week.
Katherine Landing area roads (Arizona side of Lake Mohave) -
Cabinsite Road and North and South Telephone Cove Roads sustained minor
flooding and maintenance crews have cleared the major debris and made
the roads usable.
[Roxanne Dey, Public Affairs Officer]
Monday, August 6, 2007
Lake Mead NRA
Convictions For Theft From Houseboat
In September of 2004, Cottonwood Marina personnel reported
that the houseboat Jumpin' Jack Splash had been stolen from its
moorings in the marina. Later in the evening, a responding ranger found
the vessel abandoned and adrift in the channel. After talking to
surrounding boaters, rangers were able to determine that the "pirates"
were camped in the area along the shoreline with another stolen vessel.
The park's special response team entered the campsite and found M.B.
and T.G. sitting next to the booty that had been
plundered from the houseboat. Both were arrested and charged with
burglary. Another individual was arrested for possession of
methamphetamine. On June 25th, M.B. and T.G. both pled guilty to 18
USC 661 for their participation in the theft of the house boat. They
will pay restitution and serve their sentences concurrently with
unrelated state felony convictions. [Les Seago, Special Agent]
Tuesday, September 18, 2007
Lake Mead NRA
Rangers Deal With Numerous Labor Day Weekend Incidents
Over the Labor Day weekend, Lake Mead rangers provided
professional service to nearly 120,000 visitors who entered the park.
Incidents over the course of the weekend included 17 arrests, five
search and rescue incidents, 22 medical responses and the issuance of
126 citations. Significant incidents included a call for medical
assistance for a man who sustained third degree burns to his face when
his personal watercraft blew up and a SAR operation in which rangers
were required to make repeated approaches to a cliff face to rescue
stranded boaters whose vessel sank after taking on water due to high
winds and waves. Lake Mead's implementation of the Coast Guard's
Operational Risk Management (ORM) model continues to play a significant
role in park operations. Unfortunately, the high activity and extreme
conditions over the weekend took its toll on the staff and was
identified as a contributing factor in a near catastrophic event in
which a park ranger fell asleep at the wheel and slid his patrol car off
the road into a ditch. An after-action review revealed that the ranger
had worked back-to-back shifts in excess of 12 hours with minimal rest.
In response to the review, the park's Ranger Activities Division has
implemented mandatory shift requirements for all emergency service
employees. This is one of many changes that has occurred within the
division as a result of ORM, including the creation of a duty officer
position and the realignment of division personnel. For more information
on ORM, please feel free to contact deputy chief ranger Dave Horne at
702-293-8764. [Mary Hinson, Chief Ranger]
Tuesday, September 18, 2007
Lake Mead NRA
Nine Arrested At DUI Checkpoint
On August 26th, rangers conducted a sobriety checkpoint on
Lakeshore Drive. Within three hours, they contacted about 300 drivers
and arrested nine of them for driving under the influence. This was one
of a series of six coordinated checkpoints conducted in the park in an
effort to reduce alcohol-related incidents. The park averages ten
fatalities and 190 motor vehicle and boat accidents each year, many of
them directly associated with alcohol. The checkpoints are conducted in
coordination with the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department, Nevada
Department of Wildlife, and Arizona Game and Fish. [Mary Hinson, Chief
Ranger]
Friday, September 21, 2007
Lake Mead NRA
Missing Windsurfer Presumed To Have Drowned
Rangers are searching for a 39-year-old North Las Vegas
man named E.M., who was last seen windsurfing without a
lifejacket at 5:30 p.m. on the afternoon of Wednesday, September 19th.
E.M. was windsurfing in extremely high wind conditions, with
gusts of up to 40 mph, near the Boulder Islands. Witnesses on the beach
saw the windsurfer go down near the islands at about 5:30 p.m. and never
saw him again. This area is in the Boulder Basin on the Nevada side of
Lake Mead. Rangers immediately began a search for E.M.,
dispatching two boats to the area. The Las Vegas Metropolitan Search and
Rescue (Metro) helicopter was called in to assist. E.M.'s
windsurfer was located at about 7 p.m. in between Sentinel and Saddle
Islands, but there was no sign of him. The search was suspended for the
night, then resumed the following morning. Rangers on three boats
searched the water and an NPS fire crew searched the shoreline. Metro's
helicopter again assisted with the search effort. The presumption is
that E.M. drowned. [Roxanne Dey, Public Affairs Officer]
Monday, October 01, 2007
Lake Mead National Recreation Area (AZ,NV)
Tour Helicopter Hits Eagle, Makes Forced Landing
A tour helicopter en route to the Grand Canyon made an
emergency landing at the Pearce Ferry airstrip on the
afternoon of September 27th after being struck by a golden
eagle with an eight-foot wing span. The eagle hit and went
through the windshield on the passenger side, striking the
middle rear passenger, a 64-year-old woman. She sustained
some trauma to her face and head and was flown via Mercy Air
Ambulance to the UMC trauma center. The pilot and two other
passengers were also reportedly injured, but refused medical
treatment. The Grapevine Mesa Fire Department coordinated
emergency care. Rangers from the Mohave District are
investigating. [Submitted by Mary Hinson, Chief Ranger]
Wednesday, October 03, 2007
Lake Mead NRA
Visitor Fatality Near Boulder Islands
A boater who was passing the Boulder Islands on Lake Mead
early on the morning of September 29th saw a man waving for help from
one of the islands. The man told the boater that he and a friend had had
a boating accident the previous evening and that his friend was still
missing. The boater called 911, but was unable to tell the dispatcher
where they were on the lake. He therefore continued on to the nearest
marina, Las Vegas Boat Harbor, and asked employees to call rangers for
help. A marina employee assisted rangers in the search for the missing
man. The Las Vegas Metro PD search and rescue team was called in. Metro
divers found the man's body in between 20 and 40 feet of water. An
investigation is underway. [Roxanne Dey, Public Affairs Officer]
Monday, February 11, 2008
Lake Mead NRA
Teenage Girl Killed In Motor Vehicle Accident
K.R., 16, of Bullhead City, Arizona, died in a
single-vehicle accident on the Katherine Spur road during the early
morning hours of Friday, February 8th. A security guard from the Lake
Mohave Resort and a worker from Waste Management found the vehicle
overturned on the side of the road around 5 a.m. that morning and called
911. Bullhead City fire personnel and police officers responded along
with rangers. K.R. was pronounced dead at the scene by Bullhead
City Fire Department paramedics. An investigation is underway. [Roxanne
Dey, Public Affairs Officer]
Tuesday, February 12, 2008
Lake Mead NRA
Man Dies During Technical Dive In Lake
A 40-year-old Las Vegas man died on Saturday, February
9th, while participating in a technical dive in the area around the
submerged PBY Catalina flying boat that crashed into Lake Mead in 1949.
The park's dispatch center received a relayed 911 call reporting the
accident just before 2 p.m. Rangers responded by boat and were soon on
scene. They performed CPR on the diver for about 45 minutes, but without
avail. Mercy Air 11 also responded, and medical personnel on board
pronounced the man dead at about 3 p.m. The victim was diving with three
other Las Vegas men when he apparently had a problem with his air
supply. The park is currently investigating. An autopsy will be
conducted to determine the exact cause of death. The submerged aircraft
is a popular diving spot for technical divers and is in the Boulder
Basin area of Lake Mead. [Roxanne Dey, Public Affairs Officer]
Wednesday, March 5, 2008
Lake Mead NRA
Las Vegas Man Dies In Boating Accident
Park dispatch was notified of a boating accident near the
Swallow Cove area just before 5 p.m. on the evening of Friday, February
29th. When rangers arrived, they learned that a boat operated by R.J.,
60, of Las Vegas, Nevada, had started sinking after coming into
contact with the cove's shoreline. Witnesses attempted to aid him after
making the report, but could not find either R.J. or the boat. A
search conducted that evening proved fruitless. On Saturday, rangers,
volunteers and Metro PD SAR personnel found his body near the boat. The
accident is under investigation by rangers and the county coroner's
office. The cause of death has not yet been determined. [Roxanne Dey,
Public Affairs Officer]
Wednesday, April 9, 2008
Lake Mead National Recreation Area (AZ,NV)
Felony Indictments For Assault And Robbery
On March 27th, a federal grand jury in Phoenix, Arizona,
indicted six people on two felony counts of assault
resulting in serious bodily injury and two felony counts of
robbery in a case that originated at Lake Mead. On February
24th, park rangers and special agents arrested them after
two men reported that they'd been assaulted and robbed on a
beach near Kingman Wash on the Arizona side of the lake.
Both men suffered serious head and facial trauma, as well as
numerous other injuries, and were taken to a hospital. A
crime scene investigation by rangers and agents led to the
discovery of large amounts of blood on the rocks and dirt in
the campsite area. Each of the six arrested had blood on his
clothing and hands; each had more than $500 in cash, with
blood visible on several of the bills. Three of the suspects
have been identified as being affiliated with a white
supremacist gang in Las Vegas. Special agents continue to
work with the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department and
the Federal Bureau of Investigation in ongoing gang
investigations. [Submitted by Kristy J. McGee, Special Agent]
Thursday, April 10, 2008
Lake Mead NRA
Felony Indictments For Assault And Robbery
On March 27th, a federal grand jury in Phoenix, Arizona,
indicted six people on two felony counts of assault resulting in serious
bodily injury and two felony counts of robbery in a case that originated
at Lake Mead. On February 24th, park rangers and special agents arrested
them after two men reported that they'd been assaulted and robbed on a
beach near Kingman Wash on the Arizona side of the lake. Both men
suffered serious head and facial trauma, as well as numerous other
injuries, and were taken to a hospital. A crime scene investigation by
rangers and agents led to the discovery of large amounts of blood on the
rocks and dirt in the campsite area. Each of the six arrested had blood
on his clothing and hands; each had more than $500 in cash, with blood
visible on several of the bills. Three of the suspects have been
identified as being affiliated with a white supremacist gang in Las
Vegas. Special agents continue to work with the Las Vegas Metropolitan
Police Department and the Federal Bureau of Investigation in ongoing
gang investigations. [Kristy J. McGee, Special Agent]
Friday, May 23, 2008
Lake Mead NRA
Marina Fire Causes $1 Million In Damage
At about 6:30 a.m. yesterday morning, employees at the Las
Vegas Boat Harbor Marina discovered a fire on the Lake Mead Marina
portion of their 1,350-slip marina. The fire was isolated on a part of
the Spyglass portion of B-Dock. Boats in slips 78, 79, and 80 were
completely destroyed by the fire, and two other boats on that finger of
the dock were damaged. Las Vegas Boat Harbor concession employees
successfully contained the blaze with the assistance of park rangers and
fire personnel. Investigators determined that the owner was not on the
boat, and that no one had evidently been injured. The concessioner has
conducted an evaluation of the damage and made a preliminary estimate
that it totaled about $1 million. All boat owners affected by the fire
have been contacted. This marina was moved in February from Boulder
Harbor to its new location next to Las Vegas Boat Harbor Marina. Both
marinas are now operated by Las Vegas Boat Harbor Inc. The fire has not
in any way affected access to the rest of the marina, which remains open
for business. [Roxanne Dey, Public Affairs Officer]
Tuesday, June 3, 2008
Lake Mead NRA
Mexican National Drowns In Lake Mohave
A 22-year-old Mexican citizen, A.C.-R.,
died while swimming at the Cottonwood Cove swim beach on Thursday, May
29th. A.C.-R. was attempting to swim to the buoys north of the
launch ramp when the accident occurred. He was not wearing a life
jacket. Friends and family members noticed they could no longer see him;
they swam out to try to find him and discovered his body in about 10
feet of water. Cottonwood Cove is located on the Nevada side of Lake
Mohave. A.C.-R. was in the area visiting family members from
North Las Vegas, Nevada. At this time, rangers do not believe alcohol or
drugs were a factor in this presumed drowning. The Clark County Coroner
will make the official determination about the cause of death. This is
the second drowning and 12th fatality this year at Lake Mead. [Roxanne
Dey, Public Affairs Officer]
Wednesday, June 4, 2008
Lake Mead NRA
Man Drowns Near Hemenway Fishing Pier
R.D., 45, drowned near the Hemenway fishing
pier on June 1st while attempting to retrieve a boogey board that had
floated away from shore. He was not wearing a life jacket. R.D.'s
friends and family members noticed saw him go under; they pulled him
from the lake and immediately began CPR. The pier is located on the
Nevada side of Lake Mead near the Hemenway launch ramp. At this time,
rangers do not believe that either alcohol or drugs were factors in this
presumed drowning. The Clark County Coroner will make the official
determination about the cause of death. This is the third drowning and
13th fatality this year at Lake Mead. [Mary Hinson, Chief Ranger]
Tuesday, June 10, 2008
Lake Mead NRA
Women Fatally Injured When Struck By Boat Propeller
L.J., 54, died on Saturday, June 7th, after being
critically injured while swimming in Gasoline Alley. Witnesses reported
that L.J. jumped into the water, then swam behind a vessel that was
backing up and was struck by the propeller. L.J. was pulled from the
water by bystanders, who transported her by private vessel to Katherine
Landing. While en route, responding rangers met the vessel and provided
advance life support. L.J. was taken to the Western Area Medical
Center, then to University Medical Center, where she died from her
injuries. Gasoline Alley is a popular boating area that is located on
the Arizona side of Lake Mohave. The accident is currently under
investigation. This was the park's 14th fatality this year. [Mary
Hinson, Chief Ranger]
Wednesday, July 2, 2008
Lake Mead NRA
Rangers Rescue Couple After Their Boat Sinks
The park's dispatch center received a call from M.H.
of Las Vegas around 1 a.m. on Friday, June 27th. He reported
that he and a female friend had been boating in Boulder Basin when their
30-foot boat struck something and began to quickly take on water. He
told his friend, who was wearing a life jacket, to jump into the water.
He then quickly grabbed a few essential items, including a life jacket,
cell phone and a flashlight, and joined her in the lake. After two hours
of trying to swim to shore, he called for help and told dispatchers that
they were somewhere between Callville Bay and Black Island. Rangers and
NPS boating volunteers were soon on scene, spotted the light from
M.H.'s flashlight, and rescued the pair. They were given warm
clothes and water and are reported to be okay. [Roxanne Dey, Public
Affairs Specialist]
Wednesday, July 2, 2008
Lake Mead NRA
Cliff Diver Drowns In Lake Mead
A 23-year-old Prescott, Arizona, man was with a group of
friends at Lake Mead on the evening of June 29th when he jumped off a
90-foot-high cliff near Sidewinder Cove on the Arizona side of the lake.
He did not resurface. A Nevada Department of Wildlife warden was in the
area and was on scene within 15 minute. He tried to locate the man while
rangers responded to join him, but was unable to do so. Las Vegas Metro
PD divers subsequently recovered the body. Cliff divers often believe
that they are jumping or diving into water that is much deeper than it
is in reality. Additional dangers include rocks and outcroppings that
are under the water and can't be seen from above. [Roxanne Dey, Public
Affairs Specialist]
Wednesday, July 9, 2008
Lake Mead NRA
Man Drowns In Lake Mohave
An emergency call for help came into the park dispatch
center around 7 p.m. on the evening of Saturday, July 5th. The caller
told the dispatcher that a man and woman were in the lake at Six-Mile
Cove and were having difficulty returning to the shoreline. The woman
had evidently been having trouble, and the man had gone out to help her.
Neither was wearing a life jacket. She made it back to shore and was
airlifted to Valley Hospital in Las Vegas, but he disappeared. Rangers
searched for him until dark, but were not able to find him. His body was
recovered the following day. He has been identified as M.H.,
52, of North Las Vegas. [Roxanne Dey, Public Affairs Officer]
Monday, July 21, 2008
Lake Mead NRA
Two Jailed After Badly Beating Man On Boat
On July 13th, Lake Mead rangers responded by boat to a
report of a fight in progress aboard a vessel in Boulder Harbor. They
found a badly beaten man lying on the floor of the boat, and determined
that he'd been beaten repeatedly by fists, feet and a boat oar by two
people who he'd met earlier in the evening at a local bar. The assault
took place over a three-hour period. When the man attempted to summon
help from passing vessels, he was beaten repeatedly until he stopped
yelling for assistance. The victim remains in the hospital, recovering
from his injuries. His assailants are being held without bail until
trial. [Eric Lisnik, Acting Chief Ranger]
Tuesday, September 9, 2008
Lake Mead NRA
Rangers Deal With Numerous Labor Day Weekend Incidents
Due to the anticipated high influx of visitors, Lake Mead
and Mohave District staff implemented an incident operations plan to
provide 24-hour coverage from Friday through Monday during the Labor Day
weekend. Operational leadership principles provided the framework for
establishing staffing levels and work schedules, making it possible for
the park to meet competing workload demands with available staff while
managing risk appropriately. More than 150,000 visitors came to the park
over the weekend. There was isolated thunderstorm activity on Saturday,
followed by windy conditions throughout the day Sunday. During the
weekend, the interagency dispatch center fielded 11,740 radio
transmissions and 1,444 phone calls with 197 CAD entries. Dispatchers
also dealt with 390 vehicle stops and 427 emergency calls. Thirteen
alcohol-related arrests were made. Rangers responded to 18 medical
calls, which included at least two saves, towed 40 boats, and executed
10 water rescues, many of which occurred during a high wind event that
sank several boats. Fire personnel assisted in a vehicle fire (fully
involved RV), managed air operations and participated in most of the 18
medical calls over the weekend. Other incidents included the
following:
Near Drowning - A 10-year-old boy was swimming near the
shore in 6 Mile Cove along with other children while his parents watched
from shore. The boy was not wearing a life jacket, although waves were
over four feet at times, with a strong south wind. He began having
trouble swimming and ended up going underwater for an unknown amount of
time before the adults recognized the problem and brought him to shore.
Rangers Culver and Park began patient care and called for Mercy Air.
Lake Mead fire crews set up a landing zone and additional personnel
responded by water. As rangers and fire personnel cared for the boy, he
began to slowly regain consciousness and became responsive. Mercy Air
flew the boy to a hospital in Las Vegas.
Boating Mishaps - On Sunday, high winds resulted in
numerous calls for assistance and several rescues on the lake. Rangers
Provencher, Lavasseur, Martin, McKay and Arnberger and supervisory
special agent Crawford crewed boats and rescued dozens of visitors from
Lake Mead under highly adverse conditions.
Drowning - Park personnel received a call on Friday,
requesting assistance at the Callville Bay Marina. A visitor slipped
while moving from the dock to a tied boat and fell into the water and
was not able to get out. The next morning, the park asked Las Vegas
Metro Search and Rescue to conduct a dive operation and recover his
body. The victim was the commodore of the Lake Mead Yacht Club.
Hells Angel Visit - The park received assistance from
Golden Gate NRA, Yosemite NP and a Park Police special event and
tactical team (SETT) in the management of a Hells Angels "poker run."
This interagency effort included police departments from Henderson,
Boulder City, and Hoover Dam and was also supported by NPS special
agents and officers from other federal agencies. The presence of the
SETT made it possible for the park to manage weekend operations while
minimizing the overall impact the event had on visitors.
[Charles Cuvelier, Acting Chief Ranger]
Thursday, September 18, 2008
Lake Mead NRA
Rangers Arrest Man For Theft Of Boat, Illegal Credit Card Use
On September 16th, rangers received a report that a vessel
had been stolen from its slip at the Lake Mead Marina. The owners of the
vessel reported that their son had stolen it and had used one of their
credit cards to fuel the vessel without authorization. It was determined
that the son has an extensive criminal history, including an arrest for
obstructing a police officer, and was listed on the dangerous offender
list. The rangers found the man in a group, but he slipped into the
water and swam away before he could be arrested. An extensive search of
the area was conducted, but he managed to evade arrest. On the following
day, marina personnel reported seeing him changing his clothes and
walking towards the Hacienda Hotel and Casino on an old power line road.
Rangers and officers from Hoover Dam and Boulder City formed a perimeter
around the area where he was located, then utilized the park's dog team
- ranger Todd Austin and "Onyx" - to assist in the arrest. He was taken
into custody without incident. Both felony and misdemeanor charges are
pending. [Eric Lisnik, Mead District Ranger]
Friday, September 19, 2008
Lake Mead NRA
Man Fails In Suicide Attempt
On September 16th, ranger received a report that a man was
having a seizure at the Long View overlook. When they arrived on scene,
they found an unconscious and unresponsive man lying face down near the
picnic area. Advanced life support was provided by ranger/paramedic Tod
Austin, and the man was flown to a local hospital by Mercy Air 11.
Subsequent investigation revealed that he'd tried to hang himself from
the shade structure in the picnic area, but that the knot had come
undone when he jumped from the picnic table. [Eric Lisnik, Mead District
Ranger]
Monday, October 6, 2008
Lake Mead NRA
Local Teenager Drowns In Lake Mohave
On the afternoon of October 3rd, P.T., 19, of
Bullhead City, Arizona, dove into Lake Mohave from a boat near Rams Head
Cove but failed to resurface. The park received a report of the accident
around 3:30 p.m. and rangers were on-scene within an hour. Divers from
Bullhead City FD found his body in about 70 feet of water two hours
later. He was not wearing a life jacket and is presumed to have drowned.
[Andrew Munoz, Public Affairs Officer]
Thursday, November 13, 2008
Lake Mead NRA
Fugitive From FBI Wanted List Arrested In Park
Around 1 a.m. on November 9th, rangers received a report
of an assault that had taken place near Government Wash. Investigation
revealed that the primary suspect was M.B. of Jackson,
Mississippi, who was wanted by the FBI and listed as a "featured
fugitive" on a web site run by its office in that city. Rangers searched
the area but were unable to find him. Later on the next day, NPS special
agents who were staking out the area received a report from the
Government Wash campground host that he thought he'd seen M.B. walking
into a nearby wash. The park's search dog, "Onyx," and handler ranger
Todd Austin, together with rangers Joel Hyzer and Stephen Dollinger,
began tracking M.B. from the point where he'd last been seen. They soon
found him and he surrendered without incident. He was later released to
the FBI. M.B. was wanted by the FBI for his alleged involvement in a
scam to defraud Gulf Coast homeowners, mostly elderly, out of more than
$100,000 since 2005. The victims' homes were damaged by Hurricane
Katrina, and M.B. was hired to repair them. He allegedly obtained money
to repair the homes, but performed no work. M.B.'s search and capture
was accomplished through a coordinated effort by rangers and NPS and FBI
special agents. [Eric Lisnik, District Ranger]
HYPERLINK "http://www.fbi.gov/wanted/fugitives/wcc/baria_ml.htm"
Tuesday, November 18, 2008
Lake Mead NRA
Hiker Dies In 75-Foot Fall
A 35-year-old Las Vegas man died as a result of a fall
while hiking on Fortification Hill on the Arizona side of the park this
past Sunday. He was pronounced dead at the scene. The park learned of
the accident through a transferred 911 call from a member of the man's
hiking group just before 11 a.m. that morning. According to
investigators, the man fell about 75 feet while attempting a climb. The
name of the deceased is being withheld pending next-of-kin notification.
[Andrew Muñoz, Public Affairs Specialist]
Wednesday, December 17, 2008
Lake Mead NRA
Rangers Rescue Two Men Whose Boat Sank
Rangers rescued two 64-year-old Las Vegas fishermen last
Saturday night after their boat sank in the Virgin Basin, four miles
southeast of Echo Bay. The park received the report via cell phone
around 8 p.m. Winds at the time were gusting to 45 mph and the air
temperature was 36 degrees. Rangers launched a rescue boat from
Callville Bay and began their search of coves in the north end of the
Virgin Basin. The sunken boat was found with just its bow above water,
but there was no sign of the two men. They were found on the shore of
Ramshead Island and were suffering from hypothermia. One of the men
saved the other by pulling him about a half mile to shore. It took about
four hours to find the pair. Both men were wearing lifejackets. [Andrew
S. Muñoz, Public Affairs Officer]
Monday, January 12, 2008
Lake Mead NRA
Two Men Drown In Lake Mohave
On Friday, January 9th, the park received a report that
two men were overdue from a boating trip to Lake Mohave. The two men -
J.M., 70, and F.B., 74, both of Parhump, Nevada - had
departed from Cottonwood Cove on the Nevada side of the lake early that
morning in a 12-foot aluminum boat. Rangers began a search with the
assistance of spotters in an Arizona Department of Public Safety
helicopter. J.M.'s body was found near Tamarisk Cove at 9:30 a.m. on
Saturday morning; F.B.'s body was found near 9-Mile Cove around 4:40
p.m. that afternoon. Both have been turned over to the county coroner's
office. The cause of the accident is under investigation. Reports
indicate that it was windy on the lake on Friday, which may have been a
contributing factor. [Andrew S. Munoz, Public Affairs Specialist]
Tuesday, February 3, 2009
Lake Mead NRA
Rangers Assist At Multi-Fatality Accident Outside Park
Rangers from Lake Mead were among the first responders on
scene at a tour bus accident on U.S. 93 on Friday, January 29th. The
accident killed seven Chinese tourists and injured ten others. In
mid-afternoon, the park's interagency dispatch center received a request
for assistance at the accident from the Mohave County Ranchos Fire
District. Thirteen rangers were dispatched and were joined by Bureau of
Reclamation police officers form Hoover Dam. The accident occurred about
20 miles outside the park. A half dozen agencies responded along with
six medevac helicopters. According to news reports, the bus was heading
to Las Vegas when it veered off the road from the northbound lanes into
the southbound lanes. The tour bus is owned by D.W.T. of San
Gabriel, California. The Arizona Department of Public Safety and the
National Transportation Safety Board are investigating. [Andrew S.
Muñoz, Public Affairs Officer]
Monday, March 23, 2009
Lake Mead NRA
Five Plead Guilty To Assault And Robbery Charges
On February 24, 2008, five people were arrested by rangers
and special agents for assaulting and robbing two men on a beach near
Kingman Wash on the Arizona side of the park. Both victims suffered
serious head and facial trauma and other injuries. Each of the five
people arrested - J.A., Ja.A., J.B., A.G,,
and S.M. - had blood on his or her clothing and hands; each also
had $500 in his or her possession, with blood on a number of the bills.
Special agents collected physical evidence from the suspects and the
crime scene, then interviewed them and a child witness. A special agent
later identified and located a sixth suspect, W.K., who'd fled
from the scene. He confessed and was arrested. A search warrant was
obtained for the suspects' vehicles, where more blood evidence and
information pertaining to the victims was found. Overwhelming DNA
evidence connected each of the six assailants to the victims. Keck was
arrested for homicide while he was awaiting trial and is currently
incarcerated in Las Vegas. The A.s and S.M. have been identified
as being affiliated with the Hammerskins, a violent white supremacist
gang associated with the skinhead movement. Special agents and rangers
continue to work with the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department and
the Federal Bureau of Investigation in ongoing gang investigations.
J.A., Ja.V., J.V., A.G., and S.M.
pled guilty on felony counts of assault resulting in serious bodily
injury and robbery; the defendants are awaiting sentencing. [Kristy J.
McGee, Special Agent]
Friday, May 29, 2009
Lake Mead NRA
Park Staff Deal With Numerous Memorial Day Weekend Incidents
Once again, ideal weather conditions brought thousands of
visitors to the park over the Memorial Day weekend. Park personnel and
numerous state and county law enforcement, fire and emergency medical
personnel provided exceptional service to the 135,455 visitors who were
recorded over the holiday weekend. Proactive patrols, aggressive
enforcement, and educational campaigns for safe boating, water use
activities, speed and alcohol, public disorder, and fire prevention were
all focus areas for park service personnel. Over the course of the
weekend, park personnel responded to nearly 1,000 incidents, including
533 warnings, 201 citations, 35 arrests, 22 medicals, three search and
rescue operations, two fatalities and 11,000 visitor contacts. Lake
Mead's interagency dispatch center recorded in excess of 13,000 radio
and phone calls. Lake Mead's implementation of operational leadership
(OL) continues to play a significant role to park operations. Nearly all
Lake Mead employees have attended OL training and are actively utilizing
OL's key principles. In addition to park wide implementation of OL,
superintendent Bill Dickinson rolled out Lake Mead's "101 Days of
Summer" campaign prior to the weekend. Recognizing that summertime is a
time when visitors tend to be over-anxious and less attentive in their
eagerness to enjoy all of their carefully planned events, the park
established an interdisciplinary team that focuses on internal and
external summer safety messages designed to raise awareness of risks
associated with water and shoreline recreation in a desert environment.
As we all know from OL, eagerness and inattention can be a tragic
combination that contributes to preventable accidents. Primary safety
messages over the holiday weekend included the following:
Wear it for life! Life jackets help you survive the
unexpected and let you return to enjoy the lake again.
Boat safe. Follow the navigation rules. Maintain a proper
lookout. Maintain a safe speed for the conditions.
Boat smart. Watch the weather. It can make lake conditions
change rapidly. Make sure your boat has all needed safety equipment.
Boat sober. If you drink, be responsible and don't operate
the vessel. Heat and alcohol don't mix.
For more information on operational leadership or the "101
Days of Summer" campaign, please feel free to contact deputy chief
ranger Dave Horne at (702) 293-8764. [Mary Hinson, Chief Ranger]
Friday, June 26, 2009
Lake Mead NRA
Man Drowns In Crescent Cove
C.F., 48, was with friends on a houseboat in
Crescent Cove in the Virgin Basin yesterday when he jumped into the
water for a swim. C.F. had been treading water for about a minute when
he called for help. By the time his friends began throwing life rings
into the water, he'd slipped beneath the surface. Rangers were notified
around 4:30 p.m. and responded with five rescue boats - two from Boulder
Harbor, two from Echo Bay and one from Temple Bar. Las Vegas Metro PD
provided a rescue helicopter. Surface and shoreline searches were
fruitless, and operations were suspended at dusk. Weather conditions in
the area had created a light chop, about one to one-and-a-half foot
waves in open water. According to rangers, though, the water was
relatively calm in the area where he was last seen. [Andrew S. Muñoz,
Public Affairs Officer]
Friday, July 17, 2009
Lake Mead NRA
Rangers And Firefighters Suppress Bridge Blaze
Rangers and wildland firefighters responded to a fire at
the Hoover Dam bypass project on Sunday, July 12th. The fire was
reported to the Lake Mead Interagency Dispatch Center at about 9:40 a.m.
Bureau of Reclamation police officers from Hoover Dam were first on
scene and reported that there were flames at the base of the bridge pier
on the Nevada side. Rangers and firefighters faced steep grades and 70
to 100 foot cliff drops getting down to the fire. A report that
explosives might be in the area delayed the initial attack on the fire.
A helicopter from Las Vegas Metro PD was able to check the area for
explosives; none were sighted. The flames were extinguished by noon, and
no injuries were reported. The Colorado River Bridge is part of the $234
million Hoover Dam bypass project. When completed, it will have a nearly
2000-foot road deck on 1,060-foot twin-rib concrete archs that will span
the Colorado River 900 feet above the water just down river from Hoover
Dam. [Andrew S. Muñoz, Public Affairs Officer]
Monday, August 10, 2009
Lake Mead NRA
Rangers Rescue Six Family Members From Lake
Rangers rescued six members of a California family last
Thursday after they had to abandon their boat near Castle Cove when it
was swamped by four-foot waves created by high winds on the lake. The
boat then sank, leaving them in the water for about an hour until
rangers reached them. Fortunately, all were wearing lifejackets, which
almost certainly saved their lives. The original report of the sinking
was made to marina staff at Las Vegas Boat Harbor, who in turn advised
the park. Boat Harbor staff were first on-scene with two boats and
pulled three of the people from the water. There was only one injury - a
woman in her 60s suffered minor lacerations and exhaustion and was taken
to a hospital. A wind advisory was in effect at the time, calling for
winds of 20 to 35 mph with gusts over 50 mph. [Andrew S. Muñoz, Public
Affairs Officer]
Wednesday, August 12, 2009
Lake Mead NRA
Tour Helicopter Makes Emergency Landing In Park
A tour helicopter from Maverick Helicopters, Inc. made an
emergency landing in the park just before 6 p.m. Monday evening after
striking a bird in mid-flight. The helicopter landed safely on the River
Mountains loop trail near a Southern Nevada Water Authority water
treatment plant. Game wardens from the Nevada Department of Wildlife saw
the damaged helicopter land on the trail, a paved multi-use path, and
headed to the scene. They provided first aid while National Park Service
rangers responded. The pilot suffered a laceration to the face requiring
stitches. He was transported to the hospital by park service ambulance.
None of the six passengers aboard - all tourists from London - were
injured. The helicopter was heading to the Grand Canyon from Las Vegas
when it struck the bird. [Andrew S. Muñoz, Public Affairs Officer]
Thursday, August 13, 2009
Lake Mead NRA
Search For Drowning Victim Suspended
The park has suspended dive operations in the search for
G.E., 50, of Lawndale, California, who drowned Sunday
afternoon near Eighty-Three Dollar Cove in Lake Mohave. Park rangers
will continue to make a daily search of the area by boat. G.E.
drowned near the mid-channel of the lake, where water depths range from
90 to 110 feet. Bullhead City Fire Department divers dove where he was
last seen on Sunday, and Bullhead City Police Department divers dove on
Monday without success. A search of the area was also made employing an
underwater camera and sonar. According to witnesses, G.E. jumped
into the water to retrieve a lost hat. He went underwater and has not
been seen since. He wasn't wearing a life jacket. [Andrew S. Muñoz,
Public Affairs Officer]
Friday, August 14, 2009
Lake Mead NRA
Another Tour Helicopter Makes Emergency Landing In Park
For the second time this week, a tour helicopter has been
forced to make an emergency landing at Lake Mead. The helicopter,
operated by Sundance Helicopters of Las Vegas, made an emergency landing
yesterday evening at Callville Bay. According to the pilot, he had
alarms and warnings indicating an electrical problem. He decided to land
the aircraft as soon as possible as a precaution and for the safety of
the six passengers on board. The helicopter was on its return flight
from the Grand Canyon back to McCarran International Airport when it
diverted. No injuries were reported. [Andrew S. Muñoz, Public Affairs
Officer]
Friday, August 21, 2009
Lake Mead NRA
Rangers Respond To Boat Explosion At Callville Bay Marina
Lake Mead rangers and firefighters and Clark County FD
firefighters responded to a boat explosion in the Callville Bay Marina
yesterday evening. Seven people from Las Vegas were aboard when the
explosion happened. Five were injured; three were transported by
ambulance to University Medical Center, but the other two declined
treatment. Injuries included burns and abrasions. Forever Resorts marina
employees provided first aid to the injured and protected visitors by
moving the boat away from the marina. While the exact cause of the
incident remains under investigation, investigators suspect that this
may have been caused by a buildup of gasoline fumes. [Andrew S. Muñoz,
Public Affairs Officer]
Monday, August 24, 2009
Lake Mead NRA
Eleven-Year-Old Boy Dies Of Monoxide Asphyxiation
Rangers are investigating the cause of death of an
11-year-old Las Vegas boy who died late Thursday night. An autopsy
performed by the Clark County Coroner's Office on Friday concluded that
the primary cause of death was carbon monoxide asphyxiation, with
drowning as a contributing factor. The boy was with his parents and one
other sibling aboard a Seven Crown Resorts rental houseboat out of Echo
Bay Marina when the incident occurred. The houseboat has been secured
and rangers will be working with U.S. Coast Guard marine casualty
investigators this week to determine the source of the carbon monoxide.
On Thursday night, park dispatch received a transferred 911 call
reporting that a boy had been found underwater under a houseboat near
Echo Bay. It took rangers almost two hours to locate the houseboat in
the dark. Helicopters from Mercy Air and Las Vegas Metro Police Search
and Rescue aided in the search. The family was found in a cove about 500
yards north of the entrance to Echo Bay. The boy was transported by
Mercy Air to University Medical Center where he was later pronounced
dead. [Andrew S. Muñoz, Public Affairs Officer]
Monday, August 31, 2009
Lake Mead NRA
Woman Hit And Killed By Boat Propeller
A 22-year-old woman died on Saturday evening after being
struck by a boat propeller in Gasoline Alley on Lake Mohave. She was
brought to the Princess Cove launch ramp, where medical responders were
waiting, and was pronounced dead shortly thereafter. The woman was with
family and friends aboard a pontoon boat. According to witnesses, she
fell off over the bow of the boat when everyone onboard moved to the
front, causing the bow to go underwater. She then disappeared under the
boat, passing between the pontoons as the boat traveled forward at about
six to eight miles per hour. She was found in the water after the boat
passed over her with severe injuries from the propeller. The incident
remains under investigation. The body has been turned over to the Mohave
County Coroner's Office. [Andrew S. Muñoz, Public Affairs Officer]
Thursday, September 3, 2009
Lake Mead NRA
Two Brothers Drown In Lake Mohave Cove
The bodies of two brothers, ages 33 and 29, have been
recovered from Six Mile Cove on Lake Mohave. The Clark County coroner
has determined that both men drowned. On Tuesday evening, rangers, Las
Vegas Metro Police, and Clark County Fire responded to a 911 call
reporting a body floating face down in the water at the cove. Metro and
Clark County Fire arrived on scene first and pulled the body from the
water. Rangers continued the search on the water for the second man. He
was located in six feet of water at about 10:40 p.m. Campers in the area
found the body in the water and called 911. They reported that they had
seen the brothers together earlier in the day. Rangers located their car
on shore and found identification indicating both were Mexican nationals
living in Las Vegas. Neither was wearing a lifejacket. [Andrew S. Muñoz,
Public Affairs Officer]
Thursday, September 10, 2009
Lake Mead NRA
Teenager Drowns In Lake Mohave
The body of a 19-year-old Las Vegas man who drowned in
Lake Mohave was recovered on Sunday, September 6th. Divers from Las
Vegas Metro Police found the body in about 14 feet of water. The park
had learned of the drowning earlier that afternoon via a transferred 911
call from Bullhead City. According to reports, the man swam out to a
point of land with five friends, but lagged behind and disappeared under
the surface on the way back. Friends and bystanders began searching the
area. They were unable to find him, so called 911 about 20 minutes after
he went under. Rangers and Arizona game wardens responded. Rangers
located the body about 35 feet from shore in 14 feet of water. He wasn't
wearing a lifejacket. [Andrew Muñoz, Public Affairs Officer]
Tuesday, September 15, 2009
Lake Mead NRA
California Man Drowns In Lake Mohave
Park staff, with assistance from Las Vegas Metro Police
divers, have recovered the body of D.A., 45, who drowned on Sunday
morning in Lake Mohave. The drowning was reported to the park by
Cottonwood Cove Resort staff, who overheard a distress call made on
marine band radio VHF channel 16. Park rangers arrived on scene within
an hour and began their search of the area. Divers from Las Vegas Metro
Police were called in and they recovered his body in about 35 feet of
water at 5:30 p.m. D.A. was with his family on a houseboat in Mesa Cove
when the accident occurred. The houseboat was beached, and D.A.'s
11-year-old daughter was in the water in an inflatable raft. Witnesses
reported that the wind started to carry the raft away from the boat and
that D.A. jumped into the water without a lifejacket to swim after his
daughter. He made it about 50 to 60 feet from the boat when he went
underwater and didn't resurface. Another family member was able to reach
the girl and bring her back to the boat. This was the eleventh drowning
at the recreation area this year. All but two drowning victims were not
wearing life jackets. According to U.S. Coast Guard boating accident
statistics released last month, over two-thirds of fatal boating
accident victims drowned, and 90 percent of them were not wearing life
jackets. [Andrew S. Muñoz, Public Affairs Officer]
Friday, February 12, 2010
Lake Mead NRA
NPS Assists Forest Service In Petroglyph Theft Case
A man has been indicted by a federal grand jury on felony
charges that he unlawfully removed and damaged a large petroglyph from
Forest Service lands in the Spring Mountains National Recreational Area
near Pahrump, Nevada. M.C., 57, of Pahrump, is charged with one
count of violating the Archaeological Resources Protection Act. If
convicted, M.C. faces up to two years in prison and a $250,000 fine. He
is charged under the felony provisions of the statute because the
archeological resource is valued at more than $500. According to the
indictment, between March and September 2008, M.C. knowingly excavated,
removed, damaged, and otherwise altered and defaced a large petroglyph
depicting seven sheep from Spring Mountains NRA without a permit or
exemption. Nye County Sheriff's Department officials discovered the rock
containing the petroglyph in M.C.'s front yard in Pahrump on June 24,
2009, and reported it to the Forest Service. The rock weighed about 200
pounds. M.C. was issued a summons and is scheduled for an initial
appearance and arraignment on Friday, February 26th. This investigation
is being conducted by the Forest Service, with the assistance of the law
enforcement team of the Southern Nevada Agency Partnership (SNAP) which
includes the Forest Service, the United States Fish and Wildlife
Service, the National Park Service (Lake Mead National Recreation Area),
and the Bureau of Land Management. [Andrew S. Muñoz, Public Affairs
Officer]
Friday, March 26, 2010
Lake Mead NRA
Native American Petroglyphs Vandalized
A 20-year-old Bullhead City man suspected of vandalizing
petroglyphs in Grapevine Canyon was cited by rangers on Friday, March
19th. He and a 13-year-old boy were reported to have been shooting
paintballs in the area. At least four petroglyph panels and numerous
rock faces were defaced with paint. A caller to Bullhead City 911
reported that there were kids in the canyon shooting paintballs. Park
rangers responded and contacted the man at the Grapevine Canyon
trailhead parking lot. A preliminary investigation lead them to suspect
that he was responsible for the red and green paint splatters in the
canyon. The man was issued citations for defacing/disturbing an
archeological resource, using and discharging a weapon, littering and
vandalism. He was cited and released but will be required to appear
before a federal magistrate. The National Park Service is coordinating
the clean up with area tribes. For a series of photos showing the
damage, click on the link below. [Andrew S. Muñoz, Public Affairs
Officer]
HYPERLINK "http://www.flickr.com/photos/lakemeadnra"
Tuesday, June 8, 2010
Lake Mead NRA
Drowning Victim Recovered From Lake Mohave
Rangers, assisted by Las Vegas Metro Police divers, have
recovered the body of a 23-year-old man who evidently drowned in Lake
Mohave. The body was recovered on Saturday evening at Morning Star Cove
on the Nevada side of Lake Mohave. The victim was found approximately 40
feet from shore at a depth of 39 feet. According to witnesses, the man
was swimming across the cove when he when he began to struggle and went
underwater. A witness on shore notified the National Park Service
minutes after the incident occurred. Bystanders attempted to help, but
were unable get to him in time. Rangers and Nevada Department of
Wildlife game wardens responded to the cove and immediately began to
search the area. The man was an El Salvadorian national living in Las
Vegas. Rangers do not suspect alcohol was involved. He wasn't wearing a
lifejacket. The body has been turned over to the Clark County coroner.
The name is being withheld pending notification of next of kin. [Andrew
S. Muñoz, Public Affairs Officer]
Wednesday, June 23, 2010
Lake Mead NRA
Search Underway For Presumed Drowning Victim
A search is underway for an 18-year-old Nevada man who
disappeared Monday afternoon while swimming in the Colorado River. He is
presumed to have drowned. The man was swimming in the river with two
friends when they decided that the current was too strong and started
swimming back to shore. His friends made it, but he began struggling and
went underwater. The river current through Black Canyon averages from
three to six miles per hour. The three men had hiked down to the river
through Gold Strike Canyon following a popular route from Highway 93
between the Hacienda Hotel and the eastbound Hoover Dam security
checkpoint. His friends called for help just before 4 p.m. after hiking
two miles from the riverbank to the trailhead in order get cell phone
reception. Las Vegas Metro Police Search and Rescue searched the area by
air and park rangers by water, but there was no sign of him. Efforts at
locating him continue. [Andrew S. Muñoz, Public Affairs Officer]
Wednesday, July 21, 2010
Lake Mead NRA
Two Children Die In Temple Bar Trailer Fire
Two children died in a trailer fire in the Temple Bar
Marina employee housing area on the morning of July 19th. The singlewide
concession employee trailer was fully engulfed in flame when National
Park Service volunteer firefighters and rangers arrived. The volunteer
firefighters involved in the initial response were employees of Forever
Resorts, the authorized concessionaire for Temple Bar Marina. The park
has called in counselors from the National Park Service and Mohave
County Mental Health to provide grief counseling to both concession and
NPS employees. National Park Service investigators, with assistance from
Clark County Fire investigators, are looking into the cause of the fire.
No other structures were affected and no other injuries were reported.
[Andrew S. Muñoz, Public Affairs Officer]
Wednesday, August 4, 2010
Lake Mead NRA
Twelve Members Of Family Rescued After Boat Sinks
On the afternoon of Saturday, July 31st, twelve members of
the Torrance family - five adults and seven children ranging in age from
six months to eleven years - were rescued from Lake Mohave after their
24-foot boat sank. According to family members, high winds and waves on
the lake began pushing water over the bow of the boat. All were saved
after being in the water with waves nearly three feet high for about 20
minutes because they were wearing their Coast Guard-approved
lifejackets. Three boats in the area rendered aid and rescued the
family. Last year, the majority of boating and swimming-related
fatalities occurred during the month of August. Rangers are reminding
the public about being safe while on the lake. [Andrew S. Muñoz, Public
Affairs Officer]
Wednesday, August 18, 2010
Lake Mead NRA
Man Drowns Near Government Wash
A 36-year-old man drowned in Lake Mead at Government Wash
on Monday afternoon. Rangers responded shortly after 3 p.m. to a report
of a possible drowning. The man had been swimming just a few feet from
shore when he went underwater. Nearby jet-skiers were able to pull his
body from about six feet of water and take him to shore to begin CPR.
The rangers were on-scene within 10 minutes of the initial call. CPR was
continued for about another 30 minutes before he was declared dead at
the scene. A preliminary investigation indicates that alcohol may have
been a factor in the drowning. He wasn't wearing a life jacket. This was
the fourth water-related fatality this year in the park. Typically,
rangers see more drownings between August 1st and Labor Day weekend than
any other time of the year. They attribute this to hotter temperatures
that lead more visitors to head to the water to cool off. The park is
nonetheless still well under the 14 water-related fatalities it recorded
last year. [Andrew S. Muñoz, Public Affairs Officer]
Monday, August 23, 2010
Lake Mead NRA
Body Of Cliff Diver Recovered From Lake Mohave
Park personnel, assisted by Las Vegas Metro Police
Department divers, recovered the body of an 18-year-old man from the
waters of Lake Mohave near Placer Cove Saturday night. Several friends
were diving from cliffs near the cove when the victim jumped in from a
height of about 30 feet and failed to resurface. A friend who dove in
right after him didn't know that he was still in the area and struck him
when he hit the water. The man then began to sink. Three other friends
jumped in to rescue him, but found that he was sinking too fast to reach
him. Divers recovered the body in about 50 feet of water around 10:30
that evening. The coroner will be determining the cause of death.
[Andrew S. Muñoz, Public Affairs Officer]
Wednesday, September 1, 2010
Lake Mead NRA
Man Drowns In Lake Mohave
A 20-year-old Las Vegas man died yesterday at Six Mile
Cove on Lake Mohave, an apparent drowning victim. Witnesses reported
that he had been underwater at least five minutes before they noticed he
was missing. It took bystanders about another five minutes to locate the
man underwater and pull him to shore, where they began CPR. The park was
notified at about 12:20 p.m. when a visitor alerted a maintenance
employee in the area that they needed help. Park rangers and Clark
County Fire Department and Mercy Air personnel responded. Rangers were
on scene by 12:40 p.m., and continued CPR. The man was declared dead
about an hour later. This was the fifth drowning in August and the
eighth drowning this year in the recreation area. In all cases witnesses
didn't suspect or notice the victims had drowned until at least five
minutes after they went underwater. Water safety experts say a person
can drown in seconds in as little as a teaspoon of water. Drowning
victims typically slip underwater unnoticed. They don't splash or yell
for help because their survival instinct is to hold their breath. Last
year there were 14 water-related fatalities in the park; of those, 12
were drownings. [Andrew S. Muñoz, Public Affairs Officer]
Wednesday, September 8, 2010
Lake Mead NRA
Five Rescued Following Boating Accident
Park and concession staff rescued five people who were
involved in a boating accident on the Colorado River last Friday. A
visitor on a houseboat contacted the park by marine band radio that
morning and reported a boat grounded 18 miles south of Hoover Dam. He
also reported that three of the people in the boat had significant
injuries. Rangers, concession employees from Willow Beach marina and
MercyAir personnel responded. They found that a 65-year-old man, a
34-year-old woman and a 39-year-old man had been injured when the boat
hit a rock and ran aground the previous evening. At least one person had
been thrown from the boat. All five made it to shore, where they were
spotted by the houseboater the next morning. All three injured visitors
were taken to a Las Vegas hospital. [Andrew S. Muñoz, Public Affairs
Officer]
Tuesday, September 28, 2010
Lake Mead NRA
Search Underway For Missing Hiker
A search is currently underway for 16-year-old S.M.,
who was reported missing on Saturday. S.M. is believed to have
gone hiking somewhere in the area between Gold Strike Canyon and White
Rock Canyon. He is 6' tall, weighs 150 pounds, and has short blond hair
and blue eyes. He was last seen wearing a white t-shirt, gray shorts and
white sunglasses, and carrying a black backpack. He had bottled water
and was carrying a couple of Bibles with him. According to his mother,
S.M. hiked from their home in Henderson near the I-215 and U.S. 93
interchange to the recreation area. He had been keeping in touch with
his mother by text message. His last text message was on Saturday just
after 7 p.m., telling her that he could see the Colorado River and he
was near Hoover Dam. She drove to pick him up at their prearranged
meeting point at the Hoover Dam Visitor Center at 7:45 p.m. When he
failed to arrive by 10 p.m., his mother reported him missing to a Hoover
Dam police officer. Rangers and Hoover Dam officers immediately began a
search of the area that lasted until 3 a.m. Sunday. The search was
resumed at 6:30 a.m. that morning, but no sign of him has yet been
found. Anyone who may have seen S.M. hiking or has information
regarding his whereabouts should contact the National Park Service at
(702) 293-8998 or (800) 680-5851. [Andrew S. Muñoz, Public Affairs
Officer]
Wednesday, September 29, 2010
Lake Mead NRA
Body Of Missing Teenage Hiker Found
A Las Vegas Metro Police search and rescue team found the
body of S.M. yesterday morning in Boy Scout Canyon. At
approximately 9 a.m., searchers located footprints that matched the
shoes S.M. was wearing. The team tracked the prints, which lead them
to his body at the bottom of a ravine. The area was described as having
200-foot cliff faces. The cause of death will be determined by the Clark
County Coroner's Office. The search lasted three days, during which
searchers logged over 2000 man hours and covered an area of about 30
square miles. Yesterday's operation included searchers from Lake Mead
and Grand Canyon, Las Vegas Metro Police, the Arizona Department of
Public Safety, Mohave County Sheriff's Office, Hoover Dam Police, and
the U.S. Air Force 58th and 66th Rescue Squadrons. [Andrew S. Muñoz,
Public Affairs Officer]
Tuesday, October 5, 2010
Lake Mead NRA
Roads Closed Due To Flashfloods
The park has closed off access to Lake Mead at the Boulder
Beach, Lake Mead Parkway, Lake Mead Boulevard and Overton entrances due
to flashfloods. Lakeshore Road and Northshore Road are also closed to
through traffic. Rangers are also reporting that the road to Meadview
has been washed out. For the most up to date road conditions, monitor
the park's Twitter site at HYPERLINK "http://twitter.com/LakeMeadNRA".
[Andrew S. Muñoz, Public Affairs Officer]
Wednesday, October 6, 2010
Lake Mead NRA
Park And Concessioner Work To Repair Flashflood Damage
The heavy rains from the storms that struck the park on
Monday caused a flashflood in Callville Wash that significantly damaged
the marina and knocked out electricity to the entire area. The ten-foot
wall of water that came down the wash was powerful enough to move the
10,000-pound concrete blocks used to anchor the marina. No
privately-owned boats at the marina were damaged, though. The park and
Forever Resorts are working to restore operations at the marina as
quickly as possible, but the area will likely be closed for at least
several days. Meanwhile, Callville Bay and the Callville Bay access road
have been closed to all park visitors. No services will be available to
the public at the bay until the closure order is rescinded. Rangers are
controlling access to the area at the intersection of Callville Bay
Access Road and Northshore Road. Damage assessment teams will be working
this week to assess the storm damage and provide accurate cost
estimates. Preliminarily, damage estimates are near $1 million. NV
Energy is working to restore power, but it's estimated it could take up
to a week. Echo Bay launch ramp is closed due to the dirt access road
being washed out. Maintenance crews should have access restored by the
end of the week. All other services at Echo Bay including the marina,
store and trailer village are open. Temple Bar and Hemenway Harbor
launch ramps are open and all services are available from those marinas.
Lake Mead RV Village is open. The most current conditions will be posted
on the park's Twitter site at HYPERLINK "http://twitter.com/LakeMeadNRA"
http://twitter.com/LakeMeadNRA. Information
will also be available on the park's web site at HYPERLINK
"http://www.nps.gov/lake". [Andrew S. Muñoz, Public
Affairs Officer]
Friday, October 8, 2010
Lake Mead NRA
Flashflood Recovery Operations Continue
Electricity has been restored to the Callville Bay
developed area. Visitors now have access to the campground, trailer
village, and launch ramp, but a temporary closure order remains in
effect for the Callville Bay Marina complex, which will continue to be
off-limits to the public, including marina slip renters. Boaters are
required to stay at least 20-feet away from the marina complex at all
times. A damage assessment is still underway. Damage to backcountry
roads and trails has been discovered, including bucking and washed out
pavement on the River Mountain Loop Trail. The Callville Bay store and
lounge will be back to normal operating hours on Saturday. [Andrew S.
Muñoz, Public Affairs Officer]
Tuesday, October 12, 2010
Lake Mead NRA
More Facilities Open As Flashflood Recovery Continues
The Callville Bay Marina complex and the low water launch
ramp at Echo Bay have been reopened to the public. Access to the former
is limited to marine slip renters, but the campground, trailer village,
store and lounge there are open to all. Shuttle boat service for marina
slip renters will continue on a daily basis from the launch ramp
courtesy dock until access via the marina head walk is restored. Slip
renters may elect to stay overnight, but restroom facilities are not yet
available. Full services should be restored sometime within the next two
weeks. Until then, boat fuel, sewage pump-out and boat rental services
will not be offered. The park completed its field survey of damage late
last week. Engineers are now working to estimate the cost of repairing
the damage inflicted by the flashfloods. [Andrew S. Muñoz, Public
Affairs Officer]
Friday, December 10, 2010
Lake Mead NRA
Man Sentenced For Copper Wire Theft
In early March, rangers at Lake Mead discovered evidence
of a large scale operation involving the illegal removal of copper wire
from a major electrical service line. Believing that the individuals
responsible for the crime would return, a surveillance operation was
conducted that eventually resulted in the arrest of two Nevada men. A
search warrant was executed on the vehicle used to commit the crime
which resulted in the recovery of over 300 feet of heavy gauge copper
electrical wire. In subsequent interviews both men admitted to the
removal of the copper wire, adding that they had been to the park on
numerous occasions to steal wire. In total, they estimated that they had
removed over 700 feet of wire, which they admitted to selling for a
profit at a Las Vegas metal recycling center. Each was subsequently
convicted on a single one count of theft of government property (18 USC
§ 641). On December 6th, one of the men was sentenced to five years of
federal probation and was ordered to pay $49,539.81 in restitution to
the park. The second man absconded from his court ordered stay in a
half-way house prior to being sentenced; a federal arrest warrant for
his capture is outstanding. [Investigative Services Branch, Pacific West
Region]
Friday, January 28, 2011
Lake Mead NRA
Rangers Use AED To Save Visitor's Life
On the morning of January 1st, rangers were dispatched to
a report of a 78-year-old woman in cardiac arrest. Upon arrival, they
found family members already administering CPR. Rangers took control of
the scene, assessed the patient, continued CPR, and attached an AED. The
AED advised that a shock was in order and it was accordingly
administered. The woman regained a pulse and was medevaced to a
hospital. [Christopher Ruff, Supervisory Park Ranger]
Thursday, March 10, 2011
Lake Mead NRA
Suicide Victim Found In Truck In River
On March 6th, Lake Mead and Grand Canyon rangers received
a report of a vehicle and a body in the Colorado River at the Pearce
Ferry raft takeout. Upon arrival, rangers found a Toyota pickup
partially submerged in the river and a man's body lying on the bank.
River rafters, who discovered the truck, had pulled the man's body from
the river. Investigators found a firearm in the vehicle and have
concluded that the man took his own life with it. [John Bland,
Supervisory Park Ranger]
Tuesday, April 26, 2011
Lake Mead NRA
Firefighters Extinguish Boat Blaze
National Park Service rangers and Boulder City
firefighters extinguished a boat fire in the crowded Boulder Beach
campground last Friday. They were on scene fighting the fire and
evacuating campers within minutes, and had the fire contained about 20
minutes after the initial call. Flames also burned a tent and
surrounding brush. Park investigators determined that the boat's
operator was filling the trailered boat's tank from a gas container when
he unintentionally hit the ignition switch. This evidently caused a
spark that ignited fuel vapors. The boat's operator and his family were
visiting the park from Las Vegas. No one was injured. [Andrew Muñoz,
Public Affairs Officer]
Monday, May 23, 2011
Lake Mead NRA
Timely Intervention Saves Would-Be Suicide
On April 21st, supervisory visitor use assistant Victoria
Stone noticed a woman in her vehicle in the Lake Mead Marina parking lot
who appeared to be unconscious. She notified both park dispatch and two
protection rangers on a traffic stop near the marina. Rangers Jeff
Glossop and Jesus Robles responded and found prescription pill
containers, alcoholic beverages, and a suicide note inside the car. The
rangers, assisted by park wildland firefighters, provided medical care.
The woman was transported to a local hospital for treatment. Rangers
credit Stone for preventing the woman's death. [Ben McKay, District
Ranger, Mead District]
Thursday, June 2, 2011
Lake Mead NRA
Search In Progress For Missing Boater
Rangers are searching for a boater who's been missing
since Tuesday evening and was last seen in the water without a
lifejacket near Callville Bay. He and two other men were boating just
outside the bay, with two men in the boat and the third being towed on
an inflatable raft. The man on the raft decided to come in, so his
companions stopped the boat to pick him up. One of the men in the boat
then jumped into the lake to pull the raft in. He needed assistance, so
the boat driver jumped in as well. While they were in the water, both
the boat and raft drifted away. The man who was on the inflatable was
the only one with a lifejacket. He took it off to share, but by then the
boat driver has drifted away. The park received a report about the three
missing men around 7:30 p.m. and responded with two boats. Two of the
men were rescued by a passing boat and brought in to Callville Bay. They
were not injured. The search for the missing man continues. [Andrew S.
Munoz, Public Affairs Officer]
Thursday, June 23, 2011
Lake Mead NRA
Man Convicted For Violent Assault On Girlfriend
Rangers received a report of an assault at the Las Vegas
Boat Harbor last September in which a woman had been assaulted with a
metal pole and was bleeding profusely. While en route, they learned that
it would be necessary to pass the scene of the assault to aid the woman,
so a dog team was bought in to help rangers search the yacht for Sion
Walsh, the woman's boyfriend and alleged assailant. Walsh was across the
marina but heard the dog searching for him and surrendered to rangers.
He received Miranda warnings, was interviewed, and signed a consent form
allowing rangers to search the vessel. Evidence consistent with an
assault was retrieved, including bloody clothing and metal skewers used
in the attack. A grand jury subsequently returned two true bills against
Walsh, which led to indictments for assault with a dangerous weapon and
assault resulting in serious bodily injury. After plea negotiations
failed, a trial date was set. Walsh was found guilty of assault with
bodily injury, but the jury couldn't agree on the second count. On June
10th, Walsh was sentenced to a prison term of four years and banned from
Lake Mead NRA for five years. [Prashant Lotwala, Supervisory Park
Ranger, Mead District]
Tuesday, July 19, 2011
Lake Mead NRA
Driver Killed In Early Morning Accident
A 20-year-old man was killed and his passenger injured in
a high-speed accident that occurred during the early morning hours of
Thursday, July 7th. The accident occurred sometime between 2:30 a.m. and
4:30 a.m. that morning as the two men were leaving the park. Speed and
alcohol appear to have been factors. Containers of alcohol were found at
the scene, and accident reconstruction indicates that the vehicle was
traveling at over 75 mph in a 45 mph speed zone. The vehicle was found
off the road and over a hill in a ravine. A park visitor reported seeing
debris on the road at 4:36 a.m., but said that he didn't see a vehicle
in the area. The wreckage was discovered by a National Park Service
employee at 6 a.m. The two men were treated at the scene by Bullhead
City Fire Department and transported by air to the hospital, but the
driver did not survive. [Andrew S. Muñoz, Public Affairs Specialist]
Tuesday, August 9, 2011
Lake Mead NRA
Two Drown In Separate Weekend Incidents
On the evening of Friday, August 5th, rangers learned that
a man had disappeared while swimming in a cove in The Narrows. A search
was begun that night and continued the next day. His body was found
Saturday morning near the shoreline in about two feet of water, just
east of The Narrows. The man and a friend had been boating and were
heading back to shore when they decided to check out the cove. The man
reportedly jumped into the water to swim and soon began screaming that
he was drowning. His friend threw a rope to him, but the man was unable
to grab it and disappeared. According to the man's friend, he was
intoxicated and not wearing a lifejacket. A day later, on Sunday, August
7th, rangers received another report of a man who disappeared while
swimming, this time on Lake Mohave. Within minutes of entering the water
in Arizona Bay, the 20-year-old told a friend that he couldn't breathe,
then went under. He wasn't wearing a life jacket. Efforts to find him
have so far been unsuccessful. The water ranges from 80 to 100 feet deep
in the area. [Andrew S. Muñoz, Public Affairs Specialist]
Tuesday, August 16, 2011
Lake Mead NRA
Man Drowns In Newberry Cove
A 49-year-old California man drowned while visiting
Newberry Cove with his wife and friends on Sunday afternoon. Matthew
Santistevan went wading in the lake after the group had beached their
boat in the cove. His friends noticed he was missing a few minutes later
and found him in six to ten feet of water. They pulled him ashore, began
CPR and called the park via marine radio. Rangers and medics soon
arrived. They continued CPR and employed advanced life saving
techniques, but without success. Santistevan was not wearing a
lifejacket. [Kevin Turner, Public Affairs Specialist]
Tuesday, August 23, 2011
Lake Mead NRA
Man Sentenced To Jail For Petroglyph Defacement
D.S., 21, of Bullhead City, Arizona, has been
sentenced to 15 months in federal prison and ordered to pay $9,995 in
restitution for defacing petroglyphs with paint balls in the Grapevine
Canyon area of the park. Grapevine Canyon is considered one of the most
sacred places by Colorado River Indian tribes, and the sentence followed
a two-hour hearing in which members of six different Colorado River
Indian tribes addressed the court. D.S., who pled guilty to a charge of
unlawful defacement of an archeological resource, a felony violation of
the Archaeological Resources Protection Act, was also ordered to serve a
year of supervised release and to perform 50 hours of community service.
Grapevine Canyon lies within the park just west of Laughlin, Nevada. The
area contains over 700 petroglyphs and numerous rock shelters, and is
listed on the National Register of Historical Places. D.S. admitted
that he passed signs at the entrance to the canyon saying that it
contained cultural resources and that it was illegal to damage and
deface them. He also admitted that he knew that the petroglyphs were
important to Native Americans. D.S. used a fully automatic paint-ball
gun and oil-based pellets to shoot at the petroglyphs. Approximately 38
areas containing petroglyphs were defaced, and hundreds of paint balls
were scattered and recovered from the Canyon. A ranger investigated
after receiving a report that people were in the canyon with spray
paint. D.S. was with two other individuals, one of whom was a
12-year-old boy. Park staff, assisted by members of area tribes, removed
the paint, but residue remains on the petroglyph panels. Colorado River
tribes view the Grapevine Canyon area as sacred and believe it is the
birthplace of many of their tribes. Archeologists believe that the area
has been inhabited and used by humans for at least 1100 years. [Andrew
S. Muñoz, Public Affairs Specialist]
Wednesday, August 31, 2011
Lake Mead NRA
Teenager Drowns At Echo Bay
The body of a 19-year-old Las Vegas man who is believed to
have drowned was recovered on Sunday afternoon by Las Vegas Metro Police
Search and Rescue divers in about 12 feet of water at Echo Bay. Park
staff had been searching for the man since he was reported missing by
friends around 12:30 p.m. The missing man's friends told rangers that he
was in ankle deep water when they last saw him. They say that they
looked away from the water and that he was gone when they turned back.
He wasn't wearing a life jacket. Rangers don't believe that alcohol
played a role in the apparent drowning. [Andrew S. Muñoz, Public Affairs
Specialist]
Friday, September 16, 2011
Lake Mead NRA
Young Boy Succumbs In Probable Drowning
On the afternoon of September 11th, E.C.-D., five,
who was visiting the park with his family and others, was playing in
shallow water on the lakeshore in the Government Wash area when he
disappeared. Rangers were notified of the incident around 3 p.m., but
the caller didn't know exactly where they were in the park. It took
rangers about 35 minutes to locate them. Members of the party said that
part of their group went off to another cove to fish and swim, leaving
the boy with his mother. A man from the group returned and noticed that
the boy wasn't around and he asked the mother if she knew where he was.
It was at that point that they realized he might be underwater. The man
donned goggles, began searching underwater, and located the boy's body
minutes later. CPR was attempted but wasn't successful. Investigators
believe the boy had been underwater between 20 and 40 minutes when
found. "What is most tragic about this is that the mother had a life
jacket for the boy," said ranger Prashant Lotwala. "She thought it
wasn't needed because he wasn't in deep water and she could watch him."
The Clark County Corner will determine the official cause of death.
[Andrew S. Muñoz, Public Affairs Specialist]
Wednesday, October 26, 2011
Lake Mead NRA
Investigation Underway Into Homicide, Attempted Homicide
The National Park Service and Las Vegas Metro Police are
investigating a shooting of a man and woman at Six Mile Cove. The woman
was found dead at the scene, the man was alive but suffering from
multiple gunshot wounds. He was transported to the hospital by
helicopter. Park dispatch received a 911 call from a visitor early
yesterday reporting that the two people had been shot. Rangers and Metro
and Nevada Highway Patrol officers responded and found the pair face
down in the sand when they arrived. The preliminary investigation
indicates that this was a murder/attempted murder. The investigation is
ongoing. Six Mile Cove is located just under three miles south of
Cottonwood Cove on the Nevada side of Lake Mohave. [Andrew S. Muñoz,
Public Affairs Specialist]
Tuesday, November 29, 2011
Lake Mead NRA
Rangers Successfully Intercede In Suicide Attempt
The police department in nearby Henderson, Nevada,
contacted park dispatch on Sunday regarding a woman who'd left a suicide
note in her house and headed out in a white SUV. Although the note
didn't say where she was going, family members advised that she often
went to Willow Beach Marina when depressed. Rangers searched the area
and found her vehicle in the parking lot. She alive but unresponsive,
with a .45 caliber semi-automatic in her lap. They broke the
passenger-side window, secured the weapon, and got her out of the car.
No gunshot wounds were found and evidence indicated that she'd instead
taken an overdose of medication. The rangers provided medical care until
a medevac helicopter arrived and flew her to a hospital. It was later
determined that she'd ingested more than 40 Xanax pills and a handful of
Excedrin PM pills. Doctors believe she will pull through. [Prashant
Lotwala, Mead District Supervisory Park Ranger]
Thursday, December 8, 2011
Lake Mead NRA
Five Killed In Tour Helicopter Crash
A tour helicopter operated by Sundance Helicopters crashed
just before 5 p.m. yesterday on the western side of the River Mountains
within the park. All five people on board were killed. The National Park
Service, Las Vegas Metro Police, Clark County Fire and Henderson Fire
responded to the initial call. The helicopter was on a tour flight from
McCarran International Airport to Hoover Dam and crashed along a normal
route take by tour helicopters. Investigators from the National
Transportation Safety Board are due to arrive on scene today. The
identities of the deceased will not be released until the remains have
been recovered and next of kin have been notified. Updates will be
available on the park's Twitter site at HYPERLINK
"http://www.twitter.com/lakemeadnra". A map showing the
location of the crash site can be found at HYPERLINK
"http://binged.it/s2JMKi". Operations will resume this
morning; the first incident will be posted at 9 a.m. Pacific Time.
[Andrew S. Muñoz, Public Affairs]
Friday, December 9, 2011
Lake Mead NRA
Investigation Underway Into Fatal Helicopter Crash
The National Transportation Safety Board released
additional details yesterday about the Las Vegas tour helicopter crash
in the park that killed five. The agency described the wreckage as
having been consumed by fire. The few remaining intact parts included
the main and tail rotors. NPS rangers, wildland firefighters and special
agents were involved in yesterday's operations, providing support to
NTSB, FAA and Clark County Coroner investigators. The terrain required
the use of NPS four-wheel drive utility vehicles to get investigators
within a few hundred yards of the crash site; from there they were
required to hike in. The remains of the five crash victims were
recovered by the coroner's office and transported by park utility
vehicle and park ambulance out of the area. The Clark County coroner
said that positive identification will most likely have to be made
through DNA testing. To protect the site, Superintendent Bill Dickinson
issued a temporary closure order for a two-mile radius surrounding the
crash site. Today, the park will continue its incident command
operations in support of the NTSB investigation with helicopter and
additional law enforcement support from the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation.
[Andrew S. Muñoz, Public Affairs]
Monday, March 12, 2012
Lake Mead NRA
Park Firefighters Suppress Bus Blaze
Park dispatch received a report of a bus fully engulfed in
flames near the high tension power lines at Hoover Dam on the afternoon
of March 5th. Officers from Hoover Dam PD were able to get all the
passengers off and move them to a safe location while rangers and
firefighters from the park and Boulder City responded. Hoover Dam PD,
Boulder City FD, the Nevada Highway Patrol and the NPS established a
unified command and began efforts to suppress the blaze. Boulder City
and park firefighters shared water and resources. Due to the lack of
water in the area, the growing size of the fire, and threats to visitors
and surrounding structures, park maintenance was called and workers
responded with a water tanker. The fire was put out with no injuries or
further damage incurred. [Prashant Lotwala, Supervisory Park Ranger,
Mead District]
Wednesday, May 2, 2012
Lake Mead NRA
Man Sentenced In Sexual Assault Case
On July 7, 2011, Investigative Service Branch special
agents were contacted regarding a sexual assault that occurred within
the park. They interviewed the victim and two possible witnesses to the
crime. The victim said that she was sleeping on the shoreline and awoke
to find a man sexually assaulting her. A witness provided agents with an
iPhone voice recording secretly taken of the man confessing to the crime
after the fact. Based on these interviews as well as physical and
digital evidence, the suspect was identified as 31-year-old E.M.
of El Salvador. E.M. was subsequently indicted by a grand
jury for sexual assault and abusive sexual contact and then arrested by
ISB agents with the assistance of Las Vegas Metropolitan Police
Department officers and Lake Mead rangers. On April 19th, E.M. pled
guilty to one count of abusive sexual contact and received a sentence of
24 months in prison, followed by deportation back to El Salvador. [Brian
Lake, Special Agent]
Wednesday, June 20, 2012
Lake Mead NRA
Toddler Drowns In Lake
The local interagency dispatch center received a call
regarding a missing toddler in the area of the Las Vegas boat harbor
late on the morning of June 15th. Rangers responded and began searching
the harbor by foot and water with the assistance of harbor employees.
Divers found the child around noon. The toddler showed no signs of life
and did not survive. The death is presumed to have been a drowning.
[Randy Lavasseur]
Tuesday, June 26, 2012
Lake Mead NRA
Search Underway For Body Of Swimmer
The park received a report of a man missing in the waters
of Boulder Basin on the afternoon of June 23rd. Rangers responded along
with a volunteer team and personnel from the Nevada Division of Wildlife
and the Coast Guard. The man had jumped out of a vessel to take a swim.
The winds pushed the boat further and further from shore, though, and
the woman and child still in the 21-foot boat didn't know how to operate
it. They therefore called 911. Both were quickly rescued, but, despite
of the rapidity of the response, the swimmer could not be found. A
search was begun but proved fruitless. Side scan sonar is currently
being utilized in an effort to find his body. The man was not wearing a
life jacket. [Randy Lavasseur, Assistant Chief Ranger]
Friday, July 6, 2012
Lake Mead NRA
Rangers Rescue Over 40 People During Weather Event
Due to monsoon weather on the Fourth of July, rangers
responded to six vessel accidents, two disabled vessels, four EMS calls,
and 13 visitor welfare checks. Two of the medical responses required
advanced life support. One of them was the near drowning of a
19-year-old who went swimming without a personal flotation device. He
began having trouble in the water and was about to go under when he was
rescued by other visitors. He was going in and out of consciousness when
rangers and Nevada Division of Wildlife personnel arrived; other
symptoms included lack of a pulse, dilated pupils and foaming from his
mouth. Rangers began CPR, restored his circulation, and continued airway
maintenance with the assistance of Echo Bay Marina staff. He was later
flown to University Medical Center in Las Vegas, Nevada. Throughout this
weather event, rangers rescued over 40 visitors from Lake Mead
waterways. [Randy Lavasseur]
Wednesday, July 11, 2012
Lake Mead NRA
Father And Son Drown In Lake
On the morning of July 8th, dispatch received several 911
calls reporting that a man and a child had been found floating in the
water about 25 yards off the shoreline of Six Mile Cove. Neither was
wearing a PFD. They were brought to shore and CPR was begun. Rangers
were on scene within 15 minutes and took over emergency medical care
with the assistance of park medics. Despite their efforts and further
attempts to resuscitate the child at University Medical Center in Las
Vegas, neither the 36-year-old man nor his six-year-old son survived.
[Randy Lavasseur, Assistant Chief Ranger]
Monday, July 23, 2012
Lake Mead NRA
Young Man Drowns In Lake Mojave
A 20-year-old man who was swimming in Lake Mojave near
Placer Cove late last Wednesday afternoon disappeared underwater. He was
found and brought to shore and CPR was begun. The park was notified and
responding rangers provided advanced emergency medical care. Despite
their collective efforts, the man did not survive. He was not wearing a
PFD. Placer Cove is a heavily visited area of the park with a lot of
shoreline recreation. [Randy Lavasseur, Assistant Chief Ranger]
Friday, August 17, 2012
Lake Mead NRA
Man Arrested For Sexual Abuse Of Minors
On June 27th, special agents from the Investigative
Services Branch served a felony arrest and search warrant on a
60-year-old Pennsylvania man, a former concession employee at Lake Mead
who'd been indicted on eight felony counts of aggravated sexual abuse of
a minor. The indictment stemmed from a six-month-long investigation by
agents. The man had sexually abused three victims, all 12 years old or
younger, over a five-year period while working and living in the park.
He was arrested without incident and transported to a federal holding
facility in Philadelphia, and later transported by the US Marshals
Service back to Las Vegas, where he was detained until trial. Assisting
with the warrant service were rangers from Independence and Valley Forge
and troopers from the Pennsylvania State Police. [Brian Lake, Special
Agent, ISB West]
Wednesday, August 22, 2012
Lake Mead NRA
Las Vegas Man Drowns In Sandy Cove
Just before midnight on August 18th, the park received a
marine band radio emergency call reporting a missing swimmer in Sandy
Cove. A search was begun and continued until 3 a.m., then resumed again
at daylight with the assistance of Las Vegas Metro PD's dive team. The
body of the missing 46-year-old Las Vegas man was found in 30 feet of
water shortly thereafter. He was not wearing a PFD. [Kevin Turner]
Friday, August 24, 2012
Lake Mead NRA
Rangers Recover Body Of Drowning Victim
On the evening of August 20th, Boulder City PD contacted
the park and asked for assistance in searching for a city resident who'd
failed to return from a swim in the lake. Rangers looked for him, but
without success. On Tuesday morning, Lake Mead Marina personnel reported
what appeared to be a body floating about 20 feet from shore. Rangers
recovered the body and turned it over to the county coroner. The victim
matched the description of the missing person. [Kevin Turner]
Monday, August 27, 2012
Southeast Region
Tropical Storm Isaac Arrives In Southeast
Tropical Storm Isaac has moved into the Gulf of Mexico and
is expected to become a hurricane shortly. Landfall is expected along
the Louisiana-Mississippi coastline on Wednesday. Since last week and
through this past weekend, Southeast Region has held daily hurricane
planning teleconferences with forty or more participants, including all
affected and potentially affected parks, key central office staff from
WASO, SERO and NERO, the Eastern Incident Management Team,
meteorologists and other principals. All necessary preparations have
been made and actions taken. Here's how things stood as of late Sunday
night:
The Eastern IMT remains on standby to report to any park
or parks needing assistance after the storm's passage. [Compiled from
IMT and park reports]
Wednesday, September 5, 2012
Lake Mead NRA
Ranger Intervenes In Attempted Suicide
Ranger Greg Johnson was responding to a report of a vessel
in need of assistance on the afternoon of August 24th when he came upon
a jet ski without on an operator. As Johnson approached, he saw a man
without a life jacket struggling in the water. After pulling the man
from the water, Johnson recognized he was highly intoxicated. During the
interview that followed, Johnson realized that there was more going on
here than just a person operating a jet ski under the influence of
alcohol. The man admitted that he'd tried to kill himself and that he'd
been in the water for an extended period of time. Prior to launching his
jet ski, the man had altered the safety cutoff switch and cord to his
PWC and donned a backpack full of rocks, intending to jump off well out
into the lake. When he jumped, he hit at such a high rate of speed that
the backpack flew off. Johnson's immediate intervention is credited with
saving this man's life. [Mary Hinson, Chief Ranger]
Wednesday, September 5, 2012
Lake Mead NRA
Fisherman Drowns Near Temple Bar
Around 3 a.m. on Sunday, September 2nd, park dispatch
received an emergency call reporting that a man had disappeared while
attempting to recover his fishing lure from the lake at Temple Bar.
Rangers because a search for the victim, a 49-year-old man who'd been
fishing from shore in the Temple Bar Marina area when his fishing lure
became snagged on some vegetation. After several attempts to release it
from the shore, he entered the water to free it. A short time later,
witnesses reported hearing calls for help, splashing, then silence.
Rangers found and recovered his body from about six feet of water.
[Kevin Turner]
Thursday, September 6, 2012
Lake Mead NRA
Seriously Injured Cyclist Rescued Through Firefighter's Efforts
While on a scheduled run on the River Mountain loop trail
in Boulder City on the morning of August 28th, wildland firefighter Todd
Bates came upon a man lying at the top of a hill near a bike path. The
man was not moving and was lying in a fetal position. Bates determined
that he'd fallen off of his bike and sustained injuries; he dialed 911
and assisted the man until Boulder City paramedics arrived on scene. The
man was transported to a hospital, where he will undergo surgery for his
injuries, including fractured vertebrae and a shattered hand. Bates'
quick reaction and medical skills are credited with saving this man's
life. [Mary Hinson, Chief Ranger]
Tuesday, September 25, 2012
Lake Mead NRA
Motorcyclist Killed In Accident
The park received an emergency call reporting a motorcycle
accident on the Callville Bay access road on the morning of Sunday,
September 23rd. Rangers found the 22-year-old operator 75 feet from the
road and down an embankment. Efforts were made to revive him, but
suspended after 40 minutes when a local paramedic pronounced him dead.
Speed was evidently a contributing factor. The park and Nevada Highway
Patrol are investigating. [Christie Vanover, Public Affairs Officer]
Friday, October 5, 2012
Lake Mead NRA
Man Dies While Scuba Diving In Lake
A 48-year-old Utah man died of unknown causes last
Saturday while scuba diving in the Black Canyon area of Lake Mead. Early
that afternoon, park dispatch received a marine band radio call
reporting a diver floating face down in the water. Rangers and Nevada
Department of Wildlife wardens responded and began CPR, but they were
unable to revive him. According to witnesses, the man was a mixed gas
dive instructor who was diving with a group to depths of around 350 feet
when he ran out of air. His dive partner shared a spare tank as the two
began their ascent. At some point, the man separated from his safety
line and made a free ascent without gas. The other divers ascended using
normal decompression without incident. [Christie Vanover, Public Affairs
Officer]
Thursday, October 11, 2012
Lake Mead NRA
Body Found On Shore Of Lake Mead
The body of a 54-year-old man was found on the Arizona
shoreline on October 4th. He was found near an inflatable kayak that was
still inflated; a personal flotation device (lifejacket) was found on
board, but was not on the man when he was discovered. No cause of death
was readily evident. The park is investigating the county coroner's
office is conducting an autopsy. [Christie Vanover, Public Affairs
Officer]
Thursday, October 18, 2012
Lake Mead NRA
Las Vegas Man Dies In Cliff Jumping Accident
A 28-year-old Las Vegas man died on October 13th while
cliff jumping near Wishing Well Cove in Lake Mead. Park dispatch
received a call around 1 p.m. reporting that the man had been severely
injured in a jump from the cliff and was unresponsive. His friends
pulled him from the water and took him to Hemenway Harbor, where they
were met by ranger/paramedics and state wardens. He was declared dead
shortly thereafter. Preliminary reports indicate that alcohol and drug
use were contributing factors. [Kevin Turner]
Tuesday, January 22, 2013
Lake Mead NRA
Park Search Dog Finds Missing Alzheimer's Patient
On the evening of January 1st, the Boulder City Police
Department asked the park for assistance in the search for an
83-year-old Alzheimer's patient who had walked away from his residence
and had been missing for approximately two hours. Family members and
neighbors had tried to find him, but without success. The man was also
reportedly suffering from the flu and was not properly dressed for the
near freezing temperatures. Four rangers assisted in the search,
including the park's canine team, a German shepherd named "Onyx" and his
handler. "Onyx" tracked the man from his residence and through an urban
area to a drainage ditch, where he was found unconscious. Although that
area had previously been searched by family members, they were unable to
see him due to the contour of the terrain. Rangers began an evaluation
of his condition and the Boulder City Fire Department arrived soon
thereafter. The man is expected to survive. "Onyx" is entering his fifth
year of service as a member of the Southern Nevada Agency Partnership
Team (SNAP Team). "Onyx" continues to tirelessly support rangers at Lake
Mead, and also assists the Forest Service, Bureau of Land Management,
and the Fish and Wildlife Service with investigations on public lands
throughout southern Nevada. "Onyx" also continues to provide unique
outreach education to local school students, Lake Mead visitors, and
partners. For more information about "Onyx" or canine programs, contact
the canine team supervisor, Prashant Lotwala, at HYPERLINK
"mailto:Prashant_Lotwala@nps.gov" Prashant_Lotwala@nps.gov. [Prashant Lotwala, Park
Ranger]
Friday, March 15, 2013
Lake Mead NRA
Man On Federal Probation Arrested For Stealing Tracks
A Nevada man was arrested in 2010 and prosecuted for
heading a large scale operation that involved the illegal removal of
copper wire from a major electrical service line within Lake Mead
NRA. During the original investigation, special agents and rangers
executed search warrants which resulted in the recovery of over 300 feet
of heavy gauge copper electrical wire. A subsequent damage assessment
indicated that the man and his accomplices had completely destroyed the
electrical service line. He was ultimately convicted on one count
of theft of government property (18 USC § 641) and was sentenced to five
years of federal probation and ordered to pay $49,539.81 in restitution
to the NPS. Earlier this month, in a blatant violation of his federal
probation, the man was arrested for dismantling and stealing a railroad
track outside of Jean, Nevada. He admitted that he had planned on
selling the metal track parts as scrap for a profit. On March 14th, he
was brought before a US District Court judge who revoked his probation
and sentenced him to 14 months in prison amidst speculation that his
reckless actions could have resulted in a catastrophic train
derailment. A federal arrest warrant is still outstanding for a second
man associated with the original case. Metal theft continues to be a
significant threat to NPS resources in southern Nevada. [Investigative
Service Branch - West]
Monday, June 3, 2013
Lake Mead NRA
Las Vegas Man Dies In SCUBA Incident
A Las Vegas man died of unknown causes while scuba diving
in the lake on June 1st. Park dispatch received several 911 calls
reporting that the diver was in distress early that morning. The man was
diving with a group in the Kingman Wash area just north of Hoover Dam
when the accident occurred. Witnesses said that he was unresponsive when
he surfaced. People on a nearby boat began CPR and took him to Hemenway
Harbor, where emergency personnel from the park attempted unsuccessfully
to revive him. The county medical examiner is investigating. [Christie
Vanover, Public Affairs Officer]
Monday, June 10, 2013
Lake Mead NRA
One Dead, Five Treated For Heat-Related Ailments
Rangers and other emergency services personnel conducted a
search and rescue operation for two men and four Boy Scouts in the White
Rock Canyon area on Saturday, June 8th. One of the men, a 69-year-old
Las Vegas resident, was found dead; the other man and four boys were
found to be suffering from heat-related ailments. The Mohave County
Sheriff's Office notified the park that the Boy Scouts were lost near
Arizona Hot Springs early that afternoon. While rangers and fire
personnel were searching for them, park dispatch received another call
reporting that two men were suffering from heat stroke in the same area.
The first man was found dead about a mile from an area trailhead; the
second man was found about 20 minutes later and received advanced life
support care at the scene before being flown out to a hospital. The four
Boy Scouts were found late in the afternoon and were treated by
paramedics at the trailhead. The park was under an excessive heat
warning at the time of the incident. Temperatures throughout the park
were near or above 110 degrees. [Christie Vanover, Public Affairs
Officer]
Friday, June 21, 2013
Lake Mead NRA
Search In Progress For Missing Swimmer
A search is underway for a 35-year-old Chicago man who was
last seen in the water near Sentinel Island in Boulder Basin yesterday
afternoon. Park dispatch received a call reporting that a man
disappeared underwater after he'd jumped into the lake for a swim.
About 10 people from the park and Las Vegas Boat Harbor
began a search from the point where he was last seen, but efforts were
soon suspended due to unsafe weather conditions. Winds were gusting to
over 20 mph, blowing up three- to four-foot waves. The search will
resume today.
[Christie Vanover, Public Affairs Officer]
Wednesday, June 26, 2013
Lake Mead NRA
Body Of Missing Man Found
A body was recovered on Monday in the area where a
30-year-old Las Vegas man disappeared while swimming the previous day.
The man was reportedly swimming with friends in the Virgin
Basin when he began struggling and disappeared. A thorough grid search
was conducted that afternoon, but had to be called off due to high
winds. Operations resumed on Monday morning and Las Vegas Metro PD
divers found the man's body around 10 a.m.
The park strongly encourages visitors to wear lifejackets
while swimming, especially when high winds are forecast.
[Christie Vanover, PAO]
Thursday, June 27, 2013
Lake Mead NRA
Numerous Visitors Rescued Following Boat Capsizings
Rangers dealt with several serious incidents last week,
including two fatalities and multiple water rescues.
Along with the previously reported HYPERLINK
"http://inside.nps.gov/index.cfm?handler=viewincidentsarticle&type=Incidents&id=6648"
search for a missing
swimmer (still underway) and HYPERLINK
"http://inside.nps.gov/index.cfm?handler=viewincidentsarticle&type=Incidents&id=6653"
recovery of another missing
swimmer's body, rangers responded to a report of overturned
vessels in the Callville Bay area with their occupants in the water.
Winds at the time of the incident were gusting to 35 mph and waves were
from two- to four-feet high. Two people were rescued from the water and
another two from the nearby shoreline. All four were wearing life
jackets, which likely saved their lives.
Immediately, after the above call, rangers rescued several
more people from another overturned boat about ten miles away.
The park has been advising visitors of the importance of
wearing lifejackets while recreating on the lake, as the combination of
alcohol, high winds and 105+ degree temperatures can quickly turn
deadly.
Rangers are currently gearing up for another busy weekend,
with temperatures expected to reach up to 118 to 120 degrees. The
National Weather service has issued excessive heat warning for the
upcoming weekend.
[Prashant Lotwala, Mead District Supervisory Park Ranger]
Wednesday, July 3, 2013
Lake Mead NRA
One Dead, Over A Dozen Rescued In Multiple Incidents
A man died of unknown causes, five people were treated for
heat-related illness, and more than a dozen people were rescued in
separate incidents last weekend. Temperatures during the period reached
as high as 120 degrees at Lake Mohave, so rangers focused on educating
visitors on the realities and dangers of high heat. A number of
significant events occurred, some heat-related:
On the afternoon of June 30th, a visitor told rangers that
he'd seen a man wandering in the desert near Placer Cove Road. Four
rangers and four wildland firefighters searched the area with the
assistance of Las Vegas Metro PD SAR and found the man's body 30 feet
down a ridge near Nelson Road around 8 p.m. The cause of death has not
yet been determined.
Five people were treated for heat-related systems and more
than a dozen people were rescued from the lake by rangers, personnel
from partner agencies, and bystanders, including an 18-year-old man who
was rescued by visitors when he tried to swim from Government Wash to an
island without a life jacket.
Early on the morning of June 30th, park dispatch received
a marine band call reporting that several people on a houseboat near
Temple Bar were suffering from possible carbon monoxide poisoning.
Rescuers soon arrived on scene and assessed the medical conditions of a
dozen people. Five were medevaced by air to area hospitals, four were
transported by ambulance, and three were treated and released.
Dispatch received numerous reports of a vessel fire on the
north side of the Boulder Islands on the afternoon of June 30th.
Visitors on another boat rescued the two people who were on board, who
were uninjured. Responding emergency personnel extinguished the
fire.
The National Weather Service has extended the excessive
heat warning for the area until late tomorrow night. Highs are again
forecast to exceed 110 degrees.
[Christie Vanover, Public Affairs Officer]
Tuesday, August 6, 2013
Lake Mead NRA
Search In Progress For Missing Swimmer
A search is underway for a 23-year-old North Las Vegas man
who was last seen in the water about a mile north of Cottonwood Cove on
Lake Mohave on Sunday, August 4th.
Witnesses said he and two others jumped off a boat to go
swimming and that the boat then drifted away. Passengers on board were
able to rescue two swimmers, but the third was not found. The missing
man was not wearing a lifejacket.
A search was immediately begun from the point where he was
last seen. Efforts were suspended around 8:30 p.m., when it became
dark.
The search resumed on Monday morning. About 15 people from
the National Park Service, Nevada Department of Wildlife, and Las Vegas
Metropolitan Police Department Search and Rescue searched the area using
side scan sonar and divers. The lake is 50 to 60 feet deep at the point
where the man was last seen.
[Christie Vanover, Public Affairs Officer]
Tuesday, August 13, 2013
Lake Mead NRA
Body Recovered From Lake Mohave
A man's body was recovered last Sunday from a spot on Lake
Mohave where a North Las Vegas man disappeared while swimming the
previous weekend.
A park visitor called dispatch at 6 a.m. and reported that
he'd discovered the body floating on the lake near Cottonwood Cove.
D.S., 23, disappeared about a mile north of the
cove after going for a swim on August 4th.
The National Park Service, Las Vegas Metropolitan Police
Department Search and Rescue and Nevada Department of Wildlife conducted
several unsuccessful surface and underwater searches for the missing man
at that time.
[Christie Vanover, Public Affairs Officer]
Friday, September 13, 2013
Lake Mead NRA
Man Pleads Guilty To Assault On Woman
On Sunday, August 25th, rangers at Katherine's Landing
responded to a report from a concerned citizen of a vehicle parked on
the side of the road approximately a mile from the entrance station with
a woman near the vehicle holding her arm and crying and a man walking
away from her.
When the first ranger arrived on scene, both were back in
the vehicle, but the woman got out and ran to the patrol vehicle in an
effort to get away from the man. The second ranger soon arrived. It took
the efforts of both rangers to calm her down enough to determine that
the man was armed with a knife and that he'd struck and bit her numerous
times.
Additional rangers and an NPS paramedic were called to the
scene to assist with the woman and tend her injuries. Other rangers
conducted a felony takedown and took the man into custody with little
incident. A large folding knife was found on his person during the
search incident to arrest.
During the course of the investigation, rangers learned
that the man had bitten, hit and attempted to strangle the woman. They
photographed both the scene and the woman's injuries. She was taken to
the Western Arizona Regional Medical Center for further evaluation. The
man was arrested and charged with a number of violations, including
simple assault, domestic strangulation (under the new 18 USC assault
law), and DUI. He was transported to Flagstaff to await initial
appearance.
On September 4th, the man pleaded guilty to the Class A
misdemeanor assault charge and to DUI. He was sentenced to 90 days in
prison, a year's supervised probation, fines, and year's ban from Lake
Mead NRA. The assistant U.S. attorney noted that the woman was present
at the man's side during the plea and sentencing hearing, though she
concurred with the agreement.
[Brandon Marsmaker, Supervisory Park Ranger]
Monday, October 21, 2013
Lake Mead NRA
Las Vegas Man Dies During Triathlon
A Las Vegas man died of unknown causes while swimming in a
triathlon in the park on Saturday, October 19th.
A kayaker who was patrolling the event at Boulder Beach
that morning flagged down rangers who were nearby on a National Park
Service patrol boat. When the rangers arrived, the swimmer was found to
be unresponsive. CPR was begun and he was taken by ambulance to Boulder
City Hospital, where he was pronounced dead.
The Clark County Medical Examiner will determine the cause of death.
[Christie Vanover, Public Affairs Officer]
Tuesday, October 22, 2013
Lake Mead NRA
Yacht Sinks In Lake Mead
A 65-foot yacht sank while slipped at Temple Bar Marina on
Lake Mead last Friday.
The 1996 Skipperliner, reportedly owned by singer Wayne
Newton, began taking on water around 9:30 a.m. and sunk within minutes.
Nobody was on board and no injuries were reported.
The boat is partially submerged in 45 foot deep water.
Vessel Assist, out of Lake Havasu City, will salvage the boat later this
week. No hazardous waste has been observed at this time.
Initial assessments indicate that an equipment failure may
have caused the accident. Rangers are investigating the incident.
For a related news story, click on this link: HYPERLINK
"http://www.reviewjournal.com/news/wayne-newtons-yacht-sinks-lake-mead"
[Christie Vanover, Public Affairs Officer]
Thursday, December 19, 2013
Lake Mead NRA
Former Concession Employee Pleads Guilty To Sexual Abuse Charge
On June 27, 2012, special agents from the Investigative
Services Branch arrested 60-year-old J.E.K. of Blandon,
Pennsylvania, on eight felony counts of aggravated sexual abuse of a
minor. The charges stemmed from a six-month-long investigation by
agents.
J.E.K., a former concession employee at Lake Mead, was
taken into custody for sexually abusing three victims who ranged in age
from 8 to 13 years old over a five year period.
On December 10th, J.E.K. pled guilty to one count of
sexual abuse and accepted a plea deal consisting of 14 years in prison
and lifetime probation when released.
[Investigative Services Branch]
Monday, February 24, 2014
Lake Mead NRA
Body Of Missing Boater Found, Search Continues For Two Others
On February 20th, the park was advised that three men
who'd gone on a multi-day boating trip on the park had failed to call in
as planned the previous night.
A search was begun, and their capsized 1977 Glastron boat
was found on the lake the next morning. The body of one of the missing
men was found a half mile north of the vessel.
A land, water and air search for the other two men
continues. The search team this past weekend consisted of four National
Park Service vessels with rangers and side scan sonar, a Nevada
Department of Wildlife vessel, and Metro Air and Civil Air Patrol
aircraft. Around 40 Red Rock Search and Rescue volunteers combed seven
miles of land on both sides of the shore.
[Christie Vanover, Public Affairs Officer]
Wednesday, April 9, 2014
Lake Mead NRA
Rangers Rescue Several People From Lake Mead
The last weekend in March was a very busy one for rangers
at Lake Mead:
On Saturday, March 29th, weather forecasts called for
temperatures near 80 degrees with winds gusting to 40 mph within the
Lake Mead area, but lake water temperatures remained below 60 degrees at
the surface. Based upon the weather forecast and the cool water
temperatures, rangers conducted marine patrols focusing on boaters who
might have been unprepared for the conditions. During those patrols,
they were involved in several incidents that resulted in lives
saved:
On one patrol, rangers encountered a small 10-foot
inflatable raft far from the swimming area near Boulder Beach. The
occupants appeared to be in distress and were being pushed further
offshore by the strong winds. When contacted, they told rangers that
they had planned to stay within 50 yards of shore but were soon taken
further out into the lake. They had no means of communication, food,
water or life jackets. All three were brought to the beach safely by
the patrol vessel.
Shortly after this call, rangers saw an unoccupied
personal watercraft (PWC) floating on the north side of the Boulder
Islands. As they began searching for people in the water, they came upon
occupants of another nearby vessel waving their arms. At the same time,
the Lake Mead Interagency Communications Center received a call from the
people on the vessel stating that a man had been in the water for over
an hour and that they were unable pull him on board. Rangers found the
man in the water, wearing a life jacket. He was conscious but confused
and unable to move his arms or legs. They brought him on board their
vessel and took him to a waiting NPS ambulance that transported him to
an area hospital. He said that he was operating the PWC when he fell off
and was unable to get back on. After 30 minutes in the water, he was
unable to hold onto the PWC and after approximately 45 minutes in the
water, the Good Samaritan vessel came by and called 911.
While bringing the PWC operator to shore, rangers saw two
stand-up paddle boards near the Boulder Islands with two juveniles on
each board. Only two of the four were wearing life jackets and all were
exhausted from paddling. They were assisted back to a nearby marina.
Their parents were located at a marina restaurant having dinner. The
parents did not know that the juveniles had taken the boards out.
Despite the warm air temperatures in the Lake Mead area,
the lake is still very cold. Rangers are urging visitors to exercise
caution when boating in these types of conditions, as any time spent in
the water will quickly result in hypothermia. Research shows that any
unexpected immersion will result in an immediate shock to the system
that can take at least a minute to recover from. After that, people in
the water have approximately ten minutes of purposeful movement and will
be suffering from severe hypothermia within an hour. Rangers are also
reminding visitors to wear lifejackets whenever they are out on the lake
and to check the weather forecast prior to coming to the park.
[Mark Hnat, Mead District Ranger]
Tuesday, May 13, 2014
Lake Mead NRA
Search In Progress For Missing Swimmer
A search is underway for a missing 45-year-old man who was
last seen in Lake Mead near Castle Reef in Boulder Basin last
Saturday.
Park dispatch received a 911 call that afternoon reporting
that the man had disappeared underwater and that he'd been struggling
while swimming. He was not wearing a lifejacket.
The park and Nevada Department of Wildlife began an
immediate search from the point where he was last seen. Around7:15 p.m.,
efforts were suspended due to unsafe weather conditions. Winds were
gusting at 20-30 miles per hour.
Search efforts resumed on Sunday and continued yesterday.
The incident is under investigation.
[Christie Vanover, Public Affairs Officer]
Wednesday, May 21, 2014
Lake Mead NRA
Staff Deal With Multiple Same-Day Incidents
Last Sunday proved a challenging day for park staff, who
were involved in 15 significant incidents, including a death, numerous
rescues, medical emergencies and near drownings. Reports on several of
them follow:
A 12-year-old boy nearly drowned at Cottonwood East on
Lake Mohave. A bystander provided immediate life-saving care and took
the boy to a hospital. Paramedics from the Mohave County Sheriff's
Office located them en route shortly thereafter and began providing
care. The boy was transported to Kingman, Arizona, and was later flown
to Sunrise Hospital in Nevada in critical condition. He was not wearing
a life jacket.
Rangers rescued a five-year-old girl from drowning at
Special Events Beach on Lake Mead. The girl was playing on a knee board
when the wind carried her approximately 200 yards from shore and blew
her off the board. Two bystanders attempted to rescue her but were
flipped off of their personal watercraft. A ranger reached her just as
she went under and grasped her about four feet underwater. She was
transported to a nearby hospital by Mercy Air in fair condition. Nevada
Department of Wildlife game wardens rescued the two bystanders, who had
no reported injuries. The National Weather Service reported 20 to 30
mile per hour wind gusts at the time of the incident. The girl was not
wearing a life jacket.
A 23-year-old man was rescued along Gold Strike Canyon
Trail after being injured while hiking. He was treated on scene and
carried a mile and a half to the trailhead with the assistance of Las
Vegas Metropolitan Police Department Search and Rescue personnel and
taken by ambulance to a nearby hospital.
A 30-year-old man from Mexico City was killed in an
apparent motor vehicle accident. Around 3 p.m., dispatch received a call
from a visitor who found him near a motor vehicle on Northshore Road.
Rangers and Nevada Highway Patrol officers responded and determined that
he'd evidently been involved in a single-car accident. He was not
wearing a seatbelt. Speed appears to have been a contributing factor.
[Christie Vanover, Public Affairs Officer]
Wednesday, June 25, 2014
Lake Mead NRA
Disturbed Man Arrested By Rangers
Rangers received a report from a visitor regarding a
vehicle that appeared to be disabled on Lake Shore Drive late on the
morning of June 14th.
The vehicle's lone occupant had attempted to give the
visitor a package, telling him not to open it but that someone would
find him. When the visitor refused to take it, the man began shouting at
him and went into his trailer.
Responding rangers found a pickup truck pulling a Toy
Hauler type trailer. Shortly after they arrived on scene, the man began
to act strangely, went back into the trailer, refused to come back out,
and began shouting obscenities at rangers. A computerized check on the
man revealed that he'd been arrested a few days earlier by the Nye
County Sheriff's Office for DUI and resisting an officer with a deadly
weapon.
Due to the unknown contents of the package and the man's
history, the road was closed until the incident could be resolved. The
man then began to enter and exit the trailer, changing his clothes
several times and throwing things into the desert. Rangers, including
the park K9 patrol unit, approached, subdued and arrested him. The
package was found to contain a book of religious writings.
The man was arrested and charged with multiple violations.
He is currently detained pending a status hearing in July.
[Mark Hnat, Mead District Ranger]
Thursday, June 26, 2014
Lake Mead NRA
Rangers Deal With Multiple Structural Fires
Rangers responded to several structural fires during the
ten-day period from May 31st to June 9th.
May 31st - Rangers received a report of a boat fire in the
Callville Bay Marina around 6 p.m. and responded via patrol vehicle and
engine. They also requested support from the nearby Henderson Fire
Department. The houseboat was removed from the slip and brought out into
the main channel, where park firefighters and concession employees
suppressed the blaze. The cause of the fire is believed to be electrical
in nature.
June 1st - Just before noon, rangers were notified of
smoke in the Six Mile Cove area near Cottonwood Cove. Rangers responded
via patrol vehicle and two engines. The fire was found to be in a
dumpster which had been ignited by a BBQ grill that had been discarded.
NPS units suppressed the fire.
June 3rd - Park firefighters and volunteers from the
nearest county fire station responded to a report of a trailer fully
engulfed in flame at the Cottonwood Cove Trailer Village. They found
that it was actually a dumpster on fire. The blaze was extinguished.
June 4th - Rangers received a report of a vehicle fire on
the Callville Bay Access Road just after 10 p.m. and responded via
patrol vehicle and engine along with an engine from Henderson Fire
Department. They found a pickup fully engulfed in flames and suppressed
the blaze. Investigation revealed that the truck had recently been
stolen from North Las Vegas.
June 7th - A vessel fire was reported near Sandy Cove
around 11 a.m. Rangers quickly learned that the fire had been
extinguished by the occupants and was being towed to Callville Bay.
Rangers and state game wardens investigated the incident.
June 9th - Another vessel fire was reported, this time at
Katherine's Landing Marina. The fire was suppressed by the
concessioner's fireboat. Damage was limited to the involved boat as it
was removed from the slip quickly by concession employees. Rangers
investigated the incident.
June 9th - That same afternoon, rangers came upon a
vehicle fully engulfed in flames on Northshore Road. Additional rangers
responded as well as Henderson Fire Department. The fire was suppressed
by firefighters. The occupant of the vehicle was treated by NPS
paramedics for smoke inhalation and transported to a local hospital. The
cause appears to have been accidental.
[Mark Hnat, Mead District Ranger/Park Structural Fire Coordinator]
Friday, June 27, 2014
Lake Mead NRA
One Killed, Two Injured In Head-On Collision
On the morning of June 23rd, park dispatch received a call
reporting a head-on collision on Northshore Road.
Emergency personnel from the park and Henderson Fire
Department responded. They found that one man had been killed in the
accident and that two others had been injured. Both were flown to area
hospitals by Mercy Air.
The Nevada Highway Patrol is investigating the accident.
[Christie Vanover]
Monday, June 30, 2014
Mesa Verde NP
Rangers Respond To Multiple Simultaneous Asthma Attacks
On the afternoon of Wednesday, June 18th, dispatch
received a phone call from the park museum reporting an asthma
emergency. The initial call was for one boy, traveling with a large
group, who was reported to be barely breathing.
Rangers soon arrived on scene and began treating him.
While doing so, three more members of the same group began experiencing
severe asthma-related breathing difficulties.
Park Medic Mitchell Hauptman, Rangers Marcia Leastman and
Brian Starkey, and fire EMTs Cristy Brown and Nancy Peters provided
primary EMS care. Park staff from all divisions assisted with additional
patient care, maintaining the helicopter LZ, and traffic management.
Careflight 3 made two trips to Southwest Memorial Hospital in Cortez,
Colorado, while Mancos Ambulance transported the additional two patients
with the park medic on board.
Park staff believe that the simultaneous severe breathing
incidents may have been brought on by a combination of elevation,
exertion, and dusty conditions. Since all members of the group had
experienced similar environmental conditions, the entire group was seen
as potential patients and monitored for complications.
Supervisory Ranger Andrew Blake acted as incident IC.
[Catherine Lyons]
Tuesday, July 8, 2014
Lake Mead NRA
Drowning, Near-Drowning Occur On Same Day On Lake Mohave
Rangers dealt with a drowning and a near-drowning on Lake
Mohave on Sunday, June 15th.
The first incident occurred at Cabinsite Point. A
37-year-old man was swimming across the cove there to retrieve an
inflatable raft for his daughter when he began to struggle and
subsequently disappeared underwater. He was not wearing a life jacket.
Local divers who were training in the area recovered his body
approximately 40 feet below the surface. CPR was begun, but was
ultimately unsuccessful. He was pronounced dead at Western Arizona
Regional Medical Center.
Later in the day, rangers received a call concerning a
possible drowning at Cottonwood Cove on Lake Mohave. An 18-year-old had
swum approximately 50 yards from shore when he began having difficulty
in the choppy waters and started shouting for help. He was reportedly
submerged for a minute before two visitors on a jet ski pulled him
onboard and took him to shore. Witnesses on shore notified the NPS
within minutes of the incident. Rangers and medics arrived and were able
to successfully treat him. He also was not wearing a life jacket.
[Christie Vanover, Public Affairs Officer]
Tuesday, July 8, 2014
Lake Mead NRA
Man Falls From Boat And Drowns In Lake
The body of a 36-year-old Las Vegas, who disappeared in
the lake near Callville Bay Marina on the evening of Wednesday, July
2nd, was found by divers in 15 feet of water the following
afternoon.
The park received the initial call just before 9 p.m. on
Wednesday. The caller reported that the man fell off the front of a boat
and disappeared underwater.
Rangers and concessions security personnel responded and
began an immediate search from the point where he was last seen. The
search resumed on Thursday with the assistance of the Las Vegas
Metropolitan Police Search and Rescue Dive Team.
Witnesses reported that the man had been drinking and
wasn't wearing a life jacket.
[Christie Vanover, Public Affairs Officer]
Wednesday, July 9, 2014
Lake Mead NRA
Storm Leads To 70 Distress Calls, 11 Rescues
Rangers and other first responders conducted numerous
search and rescue operations at Lake Mead yesterday afternoon after a
thunderstorm struck the Boulder Basin.
The storm began around 3:45 p.m. and created five-foot
waves and reports of eight-foot swells. Park dispatch received more than
70 distress calls from boaters, 11 of whom required rescue.
As of late last night, all had reportedly made it to land,
but one group of four remained unaccounted for. Rangers had contact with
them and confirmed their GPS coordinates, which were within walking
distance of Callville Bay Marina. Rangers made repeated attempts to
reconnect with them to make sure they made it to safety, but cellphone
calls were not answered.
Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department Search and Rescue
conducted aerial searches around the area but could not locate the
group. If rangers don't hear from them by this morning, the search will
continue.
A woman in her 30s was rescued around 8 p.m. in the middle
of the lake after treading water without a life jacket for more than
three hours. She was on a personal watercraft and decided to take her
life jacket off to go swimming just before the storm hit. She was
rescued, treated and released. Her husband and stepson were rescued
earlier in the evening.
The remaining individuals who were rescued were wearing
their life jackets. At least one vessel sank and others had to be towed
back to the marina.
[Christie Vanover, Public Affairs Officer]
Tuesday, July 15, 2014
Lake Mead NRA
One Killed, One Injured In Rollover Accident
A 28-year-old Las Vegas woman died and a Las Vegas man was
injured in a rollover motor vehicle accident on Lakeshore Road late on
the evening of Saturday, July 12th.
Emergency crews from the National Park Service, Bureau of
Land Management, Henderson Police Department, Henderson Fire Department
and Nevada Highway Patrol responded to the scene.
The woman was flown to a nearby hospital by Mercy Air and
later died. The Clark County medical examiner will determine the cause
of death and confirm her identity after next of kin have been notified.
The man was taken to a nearby hospital via Community Ambulance.
The road was closed in both directions for nearly five
hours. The Nevada Highway Patrol and the National Park Service are
investigating the accident.
[Christie Vanover, Public Affairs Officer]
Wednesday, July 23, 2014
Lake Mead NRA
Two Rescued, Two Missing In Separate Same-Day Incidents
On July 20th, rangers rescued two visitors and searched
for two swimmers who are still missing.
Around 11 a.m., dispatch received a 911 call reporting
that a woman was having difficulty breathing while hiking in White Rock
Canyon. Rangers located her and hiked her out to safety. She refused
medical assistance.
Shortly thereafter, a visitor notified a ranger that a
person was missing at Lake Mohave south of Willow Beach. Later reports
indicated that a man had jumped off a boat to go swimming and was last
seen going underwater. Rangers are continuing to search the area with
the assistance of the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department Search
and Rescue Dive Team.
Around 2 p.m., a 911 call came in reporting a near
drowning at Ski Cove on Lake Mohave. Rangers and medics responded. The
man was flown to a Las Vegas hospital by Mercy Air, where he is expected
to recover.
Twenty minutes later, dispatch received another 911 call,
this one reporting that a man went missing while swimming near Boulder
Islands on Lake Mead. Rangers, Nevada Department of Wildlife game
wardens and members of the Metro Search and Rescue Dive Team are
searching for him.
All incidents are under investigation. In the
water-related cases, none of the victims was wearing a life jacket.
Winds were gusting between 20-30 miles per hour throughout the
afternoon.
[Christie Vanover, Public Affairs Officer]
Friday, July 25, 2014
Lake Mead NRA
Body Of Missing Swimmer Found; Search For Two Others Continues
The body of a 30-year-old Las Vegas man who disappeared
while swimming on Tuesday was recovered from Lake Mead around 8 p.m. on
Wednesday evening.
D.G. had jumped from a houseboat to swim to shore
with others. When everyone got to shore, they noticed he was missing. An
interagency search ensued.
Around 4 p.m. on Wednesday, family members who were
searching the area with snorkel gear discovered what they thought was a
body underwater. The Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department Search and
Rescue Dive Team recovered D.G.'s body, which was about 13 feet
underwater and 75 feet from shore. He was not wearing a life jacket.
The Clark County medical examiner will determine the cause
of death.
Meanwhile, the search continues for two other swimmers who
went missing on July 20th. A 53-year-old Las Vegas man was last seen
going underwater south of Willow Beach on Lake Mohave. Rangers continue
to patrol the area by air and boat.
Crews are also looking for a 25-year-old Las Vegas man who
was last seen going underwater near the Boulder Islands on Lake Mead.
Volunteers from Earth Resource Group are planning to help with the
search next week, using advanced underwater search equipment.
[Christie Vanover, Public Affairs Officer]
Wednesday, July 30, 2014
Lake Mead NRA
Rangers Rescue Kayaker From Lake Mohave
Around 5 p.m. on July 24th, park dispatch received a call
reporting that a man was struggling in the water near Nelson's Landing
on Lake Mohave. Rangers responded by boat and found the man floating
motionless, holding onto a kayak.
The man said he was trying to swim across to the Arizona
shoreline when the wake of a personal watercraft threw him from his
kayak. He claimed he became separated from his life jacket, but no life
jacket was found. He also claimed he was floating for around 30 minutes
and that no bystanders offered to help.
Witnesses said he was floating in the water for between
one and one-and-a-half hours and that an individual tried to rescue him,
but that he refused assistance. They also said they did not see him
wearing a life jacket.
Winds were 10 to 15 mph, creating six- to twelve-inch
waves. Attempting to cross the lake while holding on to a kayak with no
life jacket available was extremely hazardous to both the man and to
boaters operating in the area. The man ended up more than a quarter mile
north of his starting location and approximately 300 yards from
shore.
Over the course of the preceding three days, three
swimmers drowned in the park. None of them was wearing a life
jacket.
[Christie Vanover, Public Affairs Officer]
Tuesday, August 5, 2014
Lake Mead NRA
Roads Closed Due To Flash Floods
Three roads have been closed within the park due to recent flash floods:
HYPERLINK "https://goo.gl/maps/G2OIG" Kingman Wash Access Road, a dirt road in Arizona that leads to Lake Mead, is washed out. It was closed Monday morning.
HYPERLINK "https://goo.gl/maps/0vpB0" Temple Bar Access Road, a main road in Arizona that leads to Temple Bar Marina on Lake Mead, is impassible. Flood water is flowing across the road through the Detrital Wash.
HYPERLINK "https://goo.gl/maps/pTXxm" Nevada State Route 165, which leads to Nelson's Landing and Placer Cove, has been closed at the Lake Mead National Recreation Area boundary due to flooding and road degradation.
According to the National Weather Service, .68 inches of
rain was recorded Sunday night at the Lake Mead Visitor Center off of
U.S. 93 in Boulder City. More rain was forecast for yesterday afternoon.
Caution is urged on three other roads that remain open:
HYPERLINK "https://goo.gl/maps/XZxa4" Willow Beach Access Road, a main road in Arizona that leads to Willow Beach Marina on Lake Mohave, was closed around 1 a.m. yesterday but reopened later in the morning after crews removed debris.
HYPERLINK "https://goo.gl/maps/6Sj4D" Northshore Road and Lakeshore Road, the main roads in Nevada that travel around Lake Mead, are open but have some gravel and debris on them from flood waters.
Crews are working to restore access at all of the closed locations.
[Christie Vanover, Public Affairs Officer]
Wednesday, August 6, 2014
Lake Mead NRA
Bodies Of Two Drowning Victims Found
Two bodies have been recovered in areas where two men
disappeared while swimming on July 20th.
On the afternoon of August 1st, park dispatch received a
call from a visitor who reported seeing a body floating on Lake Mohave.
Responding rangers recovered the body of an adult male from the Nevada
shoreline.
A 53-year-old Las Vegas man was reported missing near that
location on July 20th after jumping off his boat to go swimming. He was
not wearing a lifejacket.
On August 4th, volunteers from Earth Resource Group
employing advanced underwater detection equipment found a body 340 feet
underwater near Lake Mead's Boulder Islands. Rangers and state game
wardens recovered it.
A 25-year-old Las Vegas man was reported missing in this
area after going swimming without a lifejacket on July 20th.
Both incidents are under investigation.
[Christie Vanover, Public Affairs Officer]
Thursday, August 14, 2014
Lake Mead NRA
Visitor Drowns In Paiute Cove On Lake Mohave
The body of a 79-year-old California man was recovered
from the waters of Lake Mohave near Paiute Cove on August 10th.
The park received a call that afternoon reporting that the
man went into the water, began to struggle, and disappeared underwater.
Rangers, Nevada Department of Wildlife game wardens and Bullhead City
Fire Department divers responded and recovered his body.
The Clark County medical examiner will confirm the
victim's identity and determine the cause of death. Witnesses reported
that the man was not wearing a life jacket. The incident is under
investigation.
[Christie Vanover, Public Affairs Officer]
Tuesday, August 19, 2014
Lake Mead NRA
Search In Progress For Missing Swimmer
Rangers are searching for a missing 31-year-old Southern
California man who was last seen in the water near Cottonwood Cove on
Lake Mohave.
Just after noon on Saturday, August 16th, the park
received a report that the man had jumped off a boat into the water, had
begun struggling, and soon disappeared underwater. Witnesses said the
victim was not wearing a life jacket.
Rangers, Nevada Department of Wildlife game wardens and
employees from the nearby marina immediately began searching for the
missing man, who is believed to be around 100 yards from the shoreline
in an area that is 80 to 100 feet deep. The water in the area is usually
clear, but visibility is currently very limited due to recent storms,
making the search more challenging.
Crews are continuing to search the area. The incident is
under investigation.
[Christie Vanover, Public Affairs Officer]
Thursday, August 28, 2014
Lake Mead NRA
Body Recovered From Lake Mohave
A body has been recovered near Cottonwood Cove on Lake
Mohave in an area where a man disappeared on August 16th.
On the afternoon of August 24th, visitor reported seeing a
body floating near Cottonwood Cove. Rangers responded and recovered a
man's body.
A 31-year-old Southern California man was reported missing
near this area after jumping off a boat without a lifejacket on August
16th. The National Park Service and Nevada Department of Wildlife have
been searching for him ever since.
The Clark County medical examiner will confirm the
victim's identity and determine the cause of death. The incident is
under investigation.
[Christie Vanover, Public Affairs Officer]
Thursday, October 23, 2014
Lake Mead NRA
Three Charged In Homicide Case
Early on the afternoon of October 1st, rangers responded
to a call of a man's body floating off North Swim Beach at Cottonwood
Cove and found the body of 27-year-old D.A.-G. within the
beach's buoy line. He appeared to have a large contusion on the back of
his head. During the autopsy, the Clark County coroner listed the death
as suspicious and asked Las Vegas Metro Homicide to follow up on the
case.
D.A.-G.'s wallet, paycheck, keys and truck were
missing from the crime scene. Detectives reported that the truck was
stolen and an officer found it parked in front of a home in Las Vegas
four days later.
After finding out about the report the next day, the
officer returned to the Las Vegas home and again saw the vehicle,
according to the report. As the officer was completing paperwork to have
it towed, a man, identified as 18-year-old E.L.-M. came
outside and told the officer he was the truck's owner. He was then
arrested and found to have D.A.-G.'s identification card and
paycheck in his possession.
During an interview with detectives, E.L.-M. said
he, D.A.-G.'s ex-girlfriend, 20-year-old J.M.-A.,
and 18-year-old B.M. decided to kill the victim after he would
not leave J.M.-A. alone. The trio met up with D.A.-G. and
the group went to the lake. He said that the group was drinking and
arguing, which escalated to a fight. B.M. picked up a rock and hit
the victim in the back of the head, and he then fell to the ground.
E.L.-M. said he helped B.M. put D.A.-G.' body in the
lake.
J.M.-A. told a similar story to detectives, but
said she heard a loud noise at the lake and turned around to find
D.A.-G. lying on the ground. She said the victim then stood back
up, and E.L.-M. asked her if he should kill him. She replied, "If
you want to kill him, kill him." She said E.L.-M. and B.M.
took the victim into the water and held him under.
B.M. also told detectives a story similar to
J.M.-A.'s version. All three were charged with conspiracy to
commit murder and conspiracy to commit robbery and burglary.
E.L.-M. was also charged with murder with a deadly weapon.
Additionally, J.M.-A. and B.M. were charged with murder
with a weapon, robbery with a weapon and conspiracy to commit burglary.
All three are being held at the Clark County Detention Center.
[Warren Schlesinger, Park Ranger]
Thursday, April 2, 2015
Lake Mead NRA
Teen Dies In Jump From Cliff Into Lake Mohave
A body has been recovered in Placer Cove
on Lake Mohave where a teen disappeared on April 1st after jumping from
a cliff.
Rangers began searching the area
around 12:30 p.m. after witnesses said a teen jumped from a cliff to
help a swimmer below. The swimmer made it to safety, but witnesses said
the teen was seen going underwater.
Rangers located the body underwater using
sonar and called in the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department Search
and Rescue Dive Team for support. The dive team recovered the
body.
The Clark County Medical Examiner will
confirm the victim's identity and determine the cause of death. The
incident is under investigation.
[Public Affairs Office]
Wednesday, April 15, 2015
Lake Mead NRA
PWR SETT Team And Rangers Stop Murder In Progress.
On April 13th, the Lake Mead Interagency
Communications Center received a 911 call from a visitor at Boulder
Beach who said that he'd seen a man repeatedly punching and kicking his
female passenger immediately after they arrived at the beach and exited
their vehicle.
An immediate response was initiated by
NPS PWR SETT Team 2 and members from other teams in the region who were
on assignment and integrated with Lake Mead ranger staff at the time of
the call.
The man continued to beat the woman until
she was unconscious, then started dragging her to the water, where he
proceeding to hold her head underwater. Rangers and other units arrived
on scene and stopped the murder within moments of the initial call.
They took the assailant into custody without incident, and paramedics
started immediate care of the woman and her two-week-old child.
Prior to the woman being beaten, the man
had dropped her two-week-old child on the ground. He was intoxicated at
the time of the incident. The child was released to grandparents and is
doing well. The woman had aspirated some water and had several blunt
force trauma wounds. She is in stable condition at this time. The man
is in custody awaiting his initial appearance. He has a recent history
of violence and abuse.
If it wasn't for the swift and
well-coordinated efforts of the regional SETT team, park rangers and
dispatchers, the woman likely would have been dead moments
later.
[Adam Kelsey, Chief Ranger]
Tuesday, June 9, 2015
Lake Mead NRA
Three Pipe Bombs Found In Lake Mohave
Three pipe bombs were discovered
underwater in Lake Mohave on Monday and were made safe without
incident.
Around 2 p.m. on Sunday, park dispatch
received a call from a visitor who reported seeing two suspicious
looking pipes in the water near Turkey Cove south of Katherine Landing
on Lake Mohave. The park temporarily closed the area as a
precaution.
On Monday, park employees, supported by
Hoover Dam police, searched the area and found the three devices. Bomb
squad technicians from the Kingman Police Department and Arizona
Department of Public Safety utilized a disruptor to render the devices
safe. The contents of the pipe bombs are still under investigation. The
area has reopened.
Rangers and Kingman Police Department
officers are investigating the incident. The Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco
Firearms has been notified.
[Public Affairs Office]
Tuesday, June 23, 2015
Lake Mead NRA
Plane Makes Emergency Landing On Park Beach
The pilot of a small plane carrying three
passengers made an emergency landing near Lake Mead yesterday with only
minor injuries to the occupants.
Just after 5 a.m., park dispatch received
a call reporting that a small aircraft had landed at Special Events
Beach along Boulder Beach. Rangers and personnel from the Clark County
Fire Department, Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department Search and
Rescue, the Federal Aviation Administration, and Community Ambulance
responded.
The pilot was flying his three passengers
from North Las Vegas to El Paso. The three women, all from the El Paso
area, were visiting Las Vegas for the weekend. Two were treated for
minor injuries, but none of them were taken to the hospital.
According to the passengers, the plane's
engine stopped running over the mountains along the eastern side of the
Boulder Basin. The passengers said the pilot circled back toward Boulder
City to avoid landing in the mountains or on the water. They said the
plane glided to a landing on Boulder Beach.
The aircraft, a 1979 Piper PA-32R-301
(also known as a Cherokee 6), landed on the beach between two portable
restrooms. No facilities were damaged, and it doesn't appear that there
are any fuel leaks from the aircraft.
A portion of Special Events Beach will
remain temporarily closed until the aircraft can safely be removed and
the investigation by the FAA, National Transportation Safety Board and
the park can be completed.
[Public Affairs Office]
Monday, June 29, 2015
Lake Mead NRA
Two Rescued From Mine Blocked By Rattlesnake
A man and a boy who entered a mine near
Ore Car Mine off North Shore Road last Friday were unable to exit due to
a rattlesnake blocking their path and called for help.
Rangers responded along with personnel
from BLM, Henderson FD and Las Vegas Metro PD SAR. The pair were
successfully extricated.
[Public Affairs Office]
Tuesday, July 7, 2015
Lake Mead NRA
Search In Progress For Missing Man
Rangers are searching for a man who was
last seen in the water in the Boulder Basin of Lake Mead.
On the afternoon of July 5th, park
dispatch received a call from a person who reported that a man had
jumped off a boat into the water and failed to resurface. Witnesses said
he was wearing a lifejacket, but it came off when he jumped into the
water.
Rangers, Coast Guard personnel, and
Nevada Department of Wildlife game wardens responded and began searching
for the missing man, who is believed to be about a half mile from the
shoreline in an area that is 80 to 160 feet deep.
Crews are continuing to search the area.
The incident is under investigation.
[Public Affairs Office]
Tuesday, July 7, 2015
Lake Mead NRA
Body Of Teenager Recovered From Lake Mohave
The body of a 17-year-old boy from North
Las Vegas was recovered from Lake Mohave on July 1st.
The boy went underwater while swimming
across Morning Star Cove on the previous afternoon and failed to
resurface. He was with a group of friends who were cliff jumping in the
Placer Cove area who'd decided to try to swim across Morning Star Cove
to another cliff about 50 yards away. The teen started having
difficulties. Two other friends took turns trying to help him to safety,
but they could not hold on and he went underwater.
Rangers conducted an immediate search.
Using sonar, search crews located what they believed to be the body
around 7:30 p.m. on June 30th. Since there is little to no visibility
underwater at night, the search was postponed until daylight.
Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department
Search and Rescue divers located the body underwater late on the morning
of July 1st. He was not wearing a life jacket.
[Public Affairs Office]
Thursday, July 23, 2015
Lake Mead NRA
Woman Seriously Injured In Boating Accident
A woman sustained life-threatening
injuries in a boating accident near Callville Bay on Lake Mead on the
morning of July 15th.
Witnesses said two boats were pulling
into a wakeless area near Sandy Beach when one boat hit the other from
behind. The boat that was hit was carrying three occupants. A woman
sustained life-threatening injuries and was flown by Mercy Air to a
hospital; a man was treated for minor injuries. The other occupant of
the boat and the operator of the second boat were not hurt.
The incident is under investigation.
[Christie Vanover, Public Affairs Officer]
Friday, July 24, 2015
Lake Mead NRA
Rangers Save Couple On Lake Mohave
A husband and wife in their 70s were out
on a small bass fishing boat all day on July 8th and returning from the
Cottonwood area in the evening when the husband, who was operating the
boat, began having difficulty seeing in the fading light. He decided to
try to put ashore for the night at Chili Pepper Cove on Lake Mohave.
When he got out of the boat, he
inadvertently knocked it away and out of his reach. His wife tried to
throw him a line without success. The wind, blowing at 15 to 25 knots
all day, immediately took her away from her spouse, who attempted to
swim back to the boat. The wife threw him a PFD, which she said hit the
water, though she was unsure if her husband was able to retrieve
it.
The wife was located a couple of hours
later about two miles northwest of where she last saw her husband.
Nearly inconsolable, she was not wearing a PFD and the only PFD on board
was of questionable service.
A search was started for the husband with
the wife aboard the ranger boat in the area she seemed to recognize. The
husband was found on the shore in the cove, yelling for assistance. He
was wet, cold and stated that he was planning on making a shelter for
the night and waiting until the morning to flag down help. The PFD that
was thrown to him by his wife was in the same poor condition as the one
found aboard their boat. At the request of rangers the couple
voluntarily surrendered their old PFD's for new ones supplied through
the "Ready, Set, Wear It" program.
Once back at the dock, the husband
declined further medical assessment, while his wife was overcome by the
emotions of the event and nearly fainted. He said that he had Type IV
PFDs (throwable), flares, and a marine band radio on board, none of
which were known to the wife. Nor did she know how to use
them.
Rangers suggest that a safety briefing is
given to all occupants of a vessel by the operator prior to departing on
the water. This briefing should include how to locate and use all safety
equipment aboard the boat. Rangers also remind visitors not to jump from
moving vessels or in windy conditions that will not permit them to stay
with their boat, and to wear their lifejackets while on the
water.
[Christie Vanover, Public Affairs Officer]
Friday, July 24, 2015
Lake Mead NRA
Man Rescued After Driving Truck Off Cliff Into Lake Mohave
A man driving a Ford Ranger pickup
intentionally drove through a guard rail and went over a cliff and into
Lake Mohave immediately east of the Davis Dam Bridge early on the
morning of July 7th. Bullhead City Police Department officers responded
and requested assistance from rangers. They reported that the man swam
into the dam holding basin and was refusing to come to shore.
With the assistance of Bureau of
Reclamation security and staff, rangers and Bullhead City police
officers were able to access the holding basin, which is barricaded off
from vessels.
The man was using a piece of foam to hold
himself above water but refused to go to shore. He was brought onto the
ranger vessel without incident approximately one hour after he entered
the water. He was transported by vessel and was treated for hypothermia
and transported to Western Arizona Regional Medical Center.
Bullhead City Police Department and Lake
Mead National Recreation Area are investigating the incident.
[Christie Vanover, Public Affairs Officer]
Wednesday, July 29, 2015
Lake Mead NRA
Man Struck And Killed By Boat Propeller
On the afternoon of July 25th, park
dispatch received a call reporting that a visitor had been cut by a boat
propeller near Cactus Cove.
The Nevada Department of Wildlife and
Arizona Game and Fish were first on scene and pronounced the man dead
upon arrival.
According to witnesses, the boat's
operator accidentally put the boat in reverse and ran over the victim.
The Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department dive team was called in to
assist with the recovery.
The National Park Service and Nevada
Department of Wildlife are investigating the incident.
[Public Affairs Office]
Thursday, August 6, 2015
Lake Mead NRA
Bodies Of Two People Found In Stuck Minivan
The bodies of a man and woman from Golden
Valley, Arizona, were found near Greggs Hideout in Lake Mead National
Recreation Area on Sunday, August 2nd.
Park dispatch received a call just before
5 p.m. reporting that bodies of the two people were found in a minivan
by a third party who was passing through.
Mohave County Sheriff's Office deputies
and National Park Service rangers responded and located the pair in a
minivan that was stuck in the dirt on Salt Spring Wash Road. They
appeared to have died from environmental exposure. Only two bottles of
water were found at the scene and there was no cell phone coverage in
the area.
The Mohave County Medical Examiner will
determine the cause of death and confirm the victims' identities. The
incident is under investigation.
[Public Affairs Office]
Wednesday, July 26, 2017
Lake Mead NRA
Seven Injured In Two-Vehicle Crash
Seven people were injured in a two-vehicle accident on Lakeshore Road
on the afternoon of Saturday, July 22nd.
Two of the injured were transported in critical condition. The other
five had nonlife-threatening injuries.
The National Park Service, Boulder City Fire Department, Nevada
Highway Patrol, Nevada Department of Wildlife, Mercy Air and Community
Ambulance responded.
Source: News story, KSNV Las Vegas.
Wednesday, August 2, 2017
Lake Mead National Recreation Area
Flooding Causes Damage, Temporary Road Closures
Heavy rains from several storms on July 25th caused flooding in the
park and necessitated multiple road closures.
During this string of storms, the park set up an incident command to
dispatch personnel to areas where responses were needed. The park's
pilot flew over the park to quickly locate washed out roads and areas
where visitors were present.
According to the National Weather Service, Willow Beach received 4.72
inches of rain in a 24-hour period. The access road was closed around
7:30 a.m. Around 20 visitors, employees and marina staff were in the
area at the time. Visitors were escorted out of the area by 1:30 p.m.
The road is closed until further notice.
At Pearce Ferry Road, a 28-passenger tour bus was stuck in the area
due to running water. The passengers were evacuated via a high-clearance
vehicle. The road remains muddy, but is passable. Four-wheel drive is
recommended.
Temple Bar access road was closed outside the park due to flooding
across Detrital Wash. Nelson Landing Road was also closed. Both roads
will remain closed until further notice. Due to debris on the roadways,
access to Cottonwood Cove was restricted and South Cove Road was reduced
to one lane. Both are now open.
The park has more than 240 miles of paved roads and 800 miles of
gravel or dirt roads. Rangers, maintenance crews and the park pilot are
in the process of assessing damage to them and making repairs as
needed.
Source: News release, Lake Mead NRA.
Wednesday, September 13, 2017
Lake Mead National Recreation Area
Man Drowns While Attempting To Secure Houseboat In Storm
Just after 7:30 p.m. on the evening of September 2nd, rangers
received a marine radio distress call reporting a drowning on Lake
Mohave.
K.S., 48, of Long Beach, California, was helping secure a
neighboring houseboat that broke away from the shore when he got tangled
in spike lines and was pulled under the water as the houseboat began
drifting.
Resuscitation efforts were unsuccessful. K.S. was not wearing a life
jacket; the Clark County coroner's office ruled his death an
accident.
A severe thunderstorm warning was in effect at the time of the
drowning. Wind speeds were clocked in between 40 and 50 mph during the
storm, according to the National Weather Service.
Source: Las Vegas Review-Journal.
Wednesday, September 13, 2017
Lake Mead National Recreation Area
Woman Dies Of Hyperthermia In Park
A woman's death has been ruled an accident more than a month after
her body was found in the desert in a remote part of the park. The
coroner's office determined that Lorann King, 59, died of environmental
heat stress.
The Metropolitan Police Department responded to calls from the
National Park Service on July 23rd regarding a body that was "in the
middle of nowhere." The body was found in the desert near Devil's Cove
Road within the park.
King was found inside a vehicle that was parked on the remote road. A
helicopter tour operator saw it there over a period of several days and
reported it. It wasn't clear how long King was in the car before she was
found.
Source: Las Vegas Review-Journal.
Wednesday, April 18, 2018
Lake Mead National Recreation Area
Man Who Shot At Marina Security Guards Sentenced To Prison Term
A man who fired shots at security guards at a park marina last summer
has been sentenced to a prison term of nearly seven years.
J.J.D., 29, pleaded guilty in January to charges of assault
with a dangerous weapon and use of a firearm during and in relation to a
crime of violence.
The incident occurred on August 10, 2017 at the Las Vegas Boat Harbor
Marina. Court records describe how J.J.D., acting belligerently as the
marina bar was closing, was asked by two security guards to leave the
area. J.J.D. argued with the guards as he walked down the walkway leading
to the parking lot. The guards followed him to ensure he left the
area.
J.J.D. then set his beer bottle on the ground, lifted his shirt, and
grabbed a .25 caliber Raven handgun from his waistband. J.J.D. aimed and
fired once at each security guard, and then started running towards the
guards firing one more shot. When J.J.D. reached the two guards, he
pressed the barrel of the handgun to one guard's forehead. The second
guard was able to pull J.J.D.'s hand away as another shot was fired. The
guards were able to wrestle J.J.D. to the ground, remove the gun from his
hand, and restrain him until rangers arrived on scene.
An NPS special agent worked with rangers during the investigation,
and prepared the case for prosecution by the US Attorney's Office,
District of Nevada.
Source: Investigative Services Branch.
Wednesday, June 20, 2018
National Park System
Man Sentenced To Prison Term For ARPA Violations
An investigation by NPS special agents has resulted in a prison term
for a man who trafficked in prehistoric artifacts looted from public
lands.
G.W., 60, was recently sentenced to serve 15 months
imprisonment for three felony ARPA violations. Court records show that
G.W. bought approximately 30 artifacts illegally removed from a
Hopewell culture burial mound in Indiana. Such mounds are sacred spaces
built by American Indians almost 2,000 years ago. Hopewellian people
gathered at earthwork complexes for feasts, funerals, and rites of
passage.
G.W. also trafficked in artifacts from American Indian burial sites
in Kentucky and along the Ohio and Mississippi Rivers, and was
implicated in the trafficking of artifacts from Channel Islands National
Park, Lake Mead National Recreation Area, and other public lands in
Arizona and New Mexico. The cultural artifacts included prehistoric
chert blades, stone tools, ancient ceramic pots, and a ladle.
During the sentencing hearing, the federal judge told G.W. that he
was disturbed that G.W. had chosen to dig the graves of the ancestors
of American Indians for profit, and had done so while being well aware
of the laws he had chosen to violate.
Special agents from across the National Park System conducted the
three-year investigation with assistance from the FBI's Bowling Green
Resident Agency and prepared the case for prosecution by the US
Attorney's Office for the Western District of Kentucky. G.W. pleaded
guilty to the charges in March.
Source: National Park Service Investigative Services Branch.
Tuesday, July 3, 2018
Lake Mead National Recreation Area
Rangers Rescue 17 People From Two Boating Accidents
Rangers rescued 17 people after one vessel sank and another was
swamped near the shoreline on Sunday, June 24th.
Dispatch received a 911 call just before 2 a.m. in which the
dispatcher could hear faint screams for help. GPS coordinates placed the
call in the area of Lover's Cove, west of Callville Bay. Rangers
responded in two vessels.
When they arrived on the scene, rangers could only see a distant
light in the water. They found a partially submerged vessel with only
the bow above the waterline; nine people, including two children, were
in the water. Most were not wearing life jackets and all were reaching a
point of exhaustion after swimming in the water for over an hour. The
rangers pulled the people from the water and onto their boat. Medical
care was provided for a pregnant woman and a 12-month-old baby.
A second NPS vessel saved another eight people who were on the shore,
all of them associated with the group of people in the water. They were
stranded after their boat became swamped and unusable.
All 17 people were taken to Calville Bay Marina. An ambulance
transported two minors and one adult to a local hospital as a precaution
for water inhalation.
Initial reports indicate that the accidents occurred due to a
combination of the vessels being overloaded and dangerous weather
conditions. The park's automated weather stations, run by the National
Weather Service, recorded wind speeds up to 30 miles per hour and gusts
at 38 miles per hour. Waves were likely running from three to four feet
at the time of the incident.
Source: KVVU News.
Wednesday, March 20, 2019
Lake Mead NRA
Two Men Sentenced For Assault In Road Rage Incident
Two men have been sentenced to prison for their involvement in a road
rage incident that occurred in the park in January, 2018. C.T.,
27, and S.T., 23, pleaded guilty at previous court
hearings to charges related to the incident.
The incident began with an altercation with other park visitors. When
those visitors left the area, the two men chased them in their vehicle.
C.T. opened fire on the other visitors' vehicle with a
handgun, striking it once; the round passed through the rear window and
passenger side headrest and tore the jacket of the person sitting in the
passenger seat.
C.T. was sentenced to serve 70 months in prison and pay
$1,300 in restitution for assault with intent to inflict serious bodily
harm and possession of a firearm during the commission of a crime of
violence. He also agreed to forfeit the .45 caliber Glock that was used
in the commission of this crime. Once released from prison, he will be
on supervised release for four years, including GPS monitoring for the
first year. While on supervised release, he must complete 2,000 hours of
community service. Some conditions of his sentence may change if he
earns his GED and HVAC technician certificate during the first year of
incarceration.
S.T. was sentenced on a simple assault charge at a previous
court hearing to time served (approximately 3.5 months) followed by one
year of supervised release, during which he is required to get his GED
and a full-time job.
Source: NPS Investigative Services Branch.
Wednesday, July 10, 2019
Lake Mead NRA
Woman Seriously Injured In Boating Accident
A Las Vegas teacher lost her leg in a boating accident on Lake Mead
last week when a wave knocked her into the water and she was sucked into
its propeller.
L.B. was reportedly boating with friends when she was
overpowered by the wave and pulled underneath the boat. She sustained
multiple injuries.
An off-duty nurse and a firefighter paramedic, also boating in the
area, responded. They quickly applied a tourniquet to L.B.'s right leg
and stayed with her until she was flown to University Medical Center of
Southern Nevada. Due to the severity of the injuries, doctors were
forced to amputate her lower right leg.
L.B.'s popularity as a teacher was validated by the contributions
made to the GoFundMe page set up to help her pay for medical costs.
There were 336 donors in just one day, and sponsors have raised more
than $28,000 of a $35,000 goal.
Source: Megan Johnson, Yahoo News.
Wednesday, May 6, 2020
Lake Mead NRA
Trail Closed Following Multiple SAR Operations
A spike in hiker rescues has prompted the park to temporarily close a
trail off U.S. 93 outside of Boulder City. The Lone Palm Trail will be
closed through September 30th.
There have been nine search and rescue operations on the trail over
the last 45 days, compared to just one about the same time last year.
The rescues took an average of four hours to complete, with one lasting
nine hours.
The trail is strenuous and people are miscalculating their abilities
to complete it. Some hikers have also gotten lost without enough
water.
"Providing rescues on this trail during triple-digit heat is
endangering their lives and the lives of rescue crews," said Margaret
Goodro, the park's superintendent. "We will reopen the area in the fall,
when temperatures are cooler."
Source: Kelcie Grega, Las Vegas Sun.
Wednesday, June 3, 2020
Lake Mead NRA
Twelve Rescued After Boat Capsizes
Twelve people, including a three-year-old girl, were rescued on the
night of Sunday, May 10th, after their 20-foot boat capsized on Lake
Mead.
Rangers and Nevada Department of Wildlife wardens responded to a 911
call around 7:15 p.m. near Swallow Bay. They secured the boat and
rescued the passengers from the water. The three-year-old was rescued
from an air pocket under the boat.
Hours earlier, some boaters and kayakers got stranded in the water
during a storm, and many people got their cars stuck in the mud trying
to leave the beaches afterward. Rangers responded to more than 80
incidents overall on Sunday, including ten requiring search and rescues
operations.
The park said that strong winds and flash floods contributed to many
of Sunday's incidents. Source: Alexis Egeland, Las Vegas
Review-Journal.
Wednesday, July 1, 2020
National Park System
Drownings Recorded Across The Country
Summer means a spike in visitors to NPS areas with rivers and lakes
or bordering oceans, which unfortunately equates to a related spike in
drownings:
Lake Mead NRA Late on the afternoon of June 23rd, the park
received a call reporting a man seen going underwater at Boulder Beach
after swimming in an inflatable raft. Bystanders had pulled the man from
the water and begun CPR; rangers responded and took over, but the man
did not survive. Rangers said he was not wearing a life jacket and
reminded visitors to secure their inflatables during high winds, as
fatalities happen every year at the park from people swimming after
inflatable pool toys and rafts.
Sources: Anna Beahm, Huntsville Times; Mack Jones, Deseret News;
Jordan Gartner, KTNV News; Frances Ruth Harris, Pike County
Courier; Katelyn Newberg, Las Vegas Review-Journal; Bailey
Aldridge, News & Observer.
Wednesday, July 1, 2020
National Park System
Drownings Recorded Across The Country
Summer means a spike in visitors to NPS areas with rivers and lakes
or bordering oceans, which unfortunately equates to a related spike in
drownings:
Lake Mead NRA The body of a woman who disappeared while
swimming in Lake Mead last Wednesday was found in the lake on Saturday
morning. Six people on an oversized flamingo float were blown into the
lake; the woman jumped off the float into the water to help another
swimmer, but failed to make it back to shore. Winds were gusting to
nearly 30 mph at the time of the incident. The search included rangers
and officers from the Boulder City Police Department and Metropolitan
Police Department, along with "numerous friends and family." Searchers
used boats, underwater cameras, divers, helicopter and people walking
the shoreline while looking for her.
Sources: Anna Beahm, Huntsville Times; Mack Jones, Deseret News;
Jordan Gartner, KTNV News; Frances Ruth Harris, Pike County
Courier; Katelyn Newberg, Las Vegas Review-Journal; Bailey
Aldridge, News & Observer.
Wednesday, August 26, 2020
Lake Mead NRA
Three Severely Dehydrated Hikers Rescued
On the afternoon of August 5th, rangers and Mohave County Sheriff's
Office deputies rescued three dehydrated hikers from a location near
Hoover Dam.
The hikers two women and a man, all in their late teens
had gone hiking down the Colorado River within a closed area of the
park. They'd begun their hike around 7 a.m. and had soon become severely
dehydrated and unable to return to the trailhead.
Medical responders treated the hikers for dehydration, which allowed
them to continue the last mile and a half back to the trailhead with
some assistance. The hikers had two small dogs with them that were also
dehydrated; they were carried back to safety.
Temperatures were in excess of 110 degrees in the area at the time of
the rescue. This park is closed for hiking between May 15th and October
15th every year due to the extreme heat and the lack of water resources
for hikers. The hikers were each cited with federal charges for
trespassing.
Source: Facebook entry, Mohave County Sheriff's Office Search and
Rescue.
Wednesday, February 17, 2021
Lake Mead NRA
Rangers, State Wardens Rescue Man From Lake Mead
A kayaker at Lake Mead recently had a frightening close call. Game
wardens from the Nevada Department of Wildlife and National Park Service
rangers said they came to the aid of a kayaker last week when he became
separated from his kayak and spent more than an hour in 40-degree
water.
The wardens were alerted to the trouble by a 911 call. They spotted
the victim struggling in the water about 500 yards from shore near the
lake's fishing pier.
A rescue boat was launched and game wardens used a rope to pull the
kayaker to the person on board The man was treated for extreme
hypothermia. He told the wardens he had become separated from his kayak
and the wind made retrieving it impossible.
Game Warden Zachary Blackwood said the rescue was "definitely a case
of right place, right time." Blackwood explained that he was scheduled
for land patrol, but a meeting with other wardens at the boat launch
meant he was close enough to launch his boat quickly.
Blackwood was able to retrieve the man's kayak and equipment from the
lake and after a few hours warming up on the boat harbor, the kayaker
felt well enough and refused any further treatment.
Blackwood credits the good ending to the kayaker wearing a life
jacket. Source: Ron Keller, KVVU News.
Wednesday, October 6, 2021
Lake Mead National Recreation Area
2 toxic algae blooms
The Southern Nevada Water Authority and NPS are closely monitoring at
least two toxic algae blooms on Lake Mohave, the reservoir between
Hoover Dam and to the Davis Dam. So far, no toxic algae has been
detected on Lake Mead. Source: News3LV
Wednesday, March 23, 2022
Lake Mead National Recreation Area
Visitor missing
On March 14, a 64-year-old parked at the Bypass Bridge parking area near
Hoover Dam to take photographs. The visitor did not return to the vehicle and is
not carrying a phone or identification. The NPS is seeking information from the
public to help locate the missing person. Source: National Park Service
Investigative Services
May 4, 2022
Lake Mead National Recreation Area
Receding lake causes body discovery
On May 1, a metal barrel containing the remains of a person was found by people walking
along the shore of the receding lake. Based on items recovered inside the barrel,
investigators from the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department believe the victim was
killed in the 1980s. The department is working with experts at the University of Nevada,
Las Vegas to identify the remains and determine the age of the barrel's metal. Source: New
York Times
Wednesday, June 1, 2022
Lake Mead National Recreation Area
Visitors getting stuck in mud
The NPS has issued a warning that the newly exposed shoreline is both
difficult to navigate and has a high proportion of mud that may cause
vehicles, vessels, or people to get stuck. Several pictures of people
and vehicles stuck in the mud were shared on social media. Source: Fox 5
Vegas
Wednesday, June 29, 2022
Lake Mead National Recreation Area
Drowning
On June 18, a 15-foot tri-hull vessel at South Cove began taking on
water over the bow due to high winds, including gusts up to 40 mph.
Three people were aboard the vessel, and two were able to make it to
shore as the boat sank. However, the third individual drowned. NPS staff
worked with Mohave County Sherriffs Office, utilizing side-scan sonar to
locate and recover the victim's body. Source: Lake Mead National
Recreation Area
July 13, 2022
Lake Mead National Recreation Area
1 fatality in jet ski incident
On June 30, two people were jet skiing in the Boulder Islands, when they
fell off. One individual was rescued, while the other, a 22-year-old,
disappeared after going into the water. Neither was wearing a personal
flotation device. On July 6, a body was recovered in the same area via
the use of a remotely operated vehicle. It was later identified as the
missing individual. Source: Lake Mead National Recreation Area (7/1,
7/6), KTVZ, CBS News
August 10, 2022
Lake Mead National Recreation Area
Kayaker found deceased
On July 27, a 31-year-old kayaker near SCUBA Beach was seen
struggling to retrieve an inflatable kayak that was blown away due to
high winds. The individual was not wearing a personal flotation device
and was not seen emerging from the water. NPS staff searched the area by
boat and snorkeling, but the search had to be suspended due to severe
weather throughout the evening. The next morning, NPS staff and Las
Vegas Metropolitan Police found the individual deceased. Source:
KVVU
August 10, 2022
Lake Mead National Recreation Area
3rd and 4th sets of human remains found in receding lake
On July 25, NPS staff responded to a report of human remains found in
the Swim Beach area. On August 6, another set was found at Swim Beach.
The Clark County Office of the Coroner/Medical Examiner is assisting
with determining the cause of death in both cases. They are the third
and fourth sets of remains found this year as the lake drops to record
low levels. Source: ABC 30, Lake Mead National Recreation Area
August 24, 2022
Lake Mead National Recreation Area
Follow-up on Previously Reported Incident
The media had previously reported that two sets of human remains had
been found at Swim Beach: one on July 25 and one on August 6. However,
since that time, the Clark County coroner's office has said that both
sets of remains may be from the same person. On August 16, more remains
were found at Swim Beach, and it is also unclear whether the remains are
from the same person. The area was cordoned off and a dive team from Las
Vegas Metropolitan Police Department supported the recovery efforts. The
investigation is ongoing. Source: AP News, New York Post
September 7, 2022
Lake Mead National Recreation Area
Drowning
On September 2, a 44-year-old, who was not wearing a personal
flotation device, was observed in distress while attempting to swim back
to his boat near the Cottonwood Cove of Lake Mohave. Observers tried to
throw multiple flotation devices to the individual, but the individual
slipped under the water. The NPS dive team responded, but had to suspend
the search that evening due to high winds. The individual's body was
found the following morning by the dive team. Source: Lake Mead National
Recreation Area
September 7, 2022
Lake Mead National Recreation Area
Follow-up on Previously Reported Incidents
The human remains found on May 7 at Callville Bay (see 5/18/22
Coalition Report) have been identified as a 42-year-old who reportedly
drowned on August 2, 2022. Identification was made using DNA analysis,
and the evidence corroborates a witness report made to rangers on that
date, saying that a person without a personal flotation device was seen
swimming and struggling in that area.
On August 17, a gun was found in a dried out section of the lake
adjacent to where other human remains were found in a barrel on May 1
(see 5/4/22 Coalition Report). It has not yet been determined whether
the gun is connected to those remains. Source: Lake Mead National
Recreation Area, The New York Times
September 18, 2022
Lake Mead National Recreation Area
Unapproved boat ramp constructed
On August 16, it was discovered that private individuals brought heavy
equipment to grade an undisturbed area to create an unapproved boat ramp
and parking area at Echo Bay. Park staff have installed multiple dirt
and concrete berms to close down the unapproved structure, and increased
patrolling in the area. The former official Echo Bay launch, as well as
four other NPS boat launches on the lake, have been closed due to
dropping lake levels. Only one is currently open at Hemenway Harbor.
There is also an approved privately maintained boat launch at South
Cove. Source: 8NewsNow (8/30, 9/2)
October 5, 2022
Lake Mead National Recreation Area
Emergency landing on water
On October 1, a single engine Cessna carrying two passengers was headed
from Las Vegas to Arizona. The plane landed in the waters of the lake.
No passengers were injured. Personnel from the Las Vegas Metropolitan
Police Department and the NPS responded, and the National Transportation
Safety Board is investigating. Source: KTNV
October 19, 2022
Lake Mead National Recreation Area
Drowning victim recovered
On October 15, a 39-year-old went missing in the water from the "back
bay area" of Katherine Landing Marina. The individual was not wearing a
personal flotation device. A witness called 911 to report it, and
rangers began a search effort. The search continued through the next day
with support from Mohave County dive personnel. The individual was found
deceased that afternoon and their body was recovered. The incident is
being investigated as a drowning. Source: AP News
November 2, 2022
Lake Mead National Recreation Area
More human remains found
On October 17, a concession dive operator found a human bone while
diving in the Callville Bay Area. They reported it, and the following
day, an NPS dive team conducted a full search and confirmed finding
human skeletal remains. No foul play is suspected at this point. The
Clark County Coroner's Office has been contacted and will confirm the
identity of the deceased individual. It is the sixth set of remains
found in the lake since May 1. Source: News4
November 2, 2022
Lake Mead National Recreation Area
Brain-eating amoeba causes death
On October 19, the Southern Nevada Health District confirmed the
death of a juvenile individual from an infection of Naegleria fowleri,
also known as brain-eating amoeba. The individual may have been exposed
to the organism the weekend of September 30 in the Kingman Wash area of
the park. It is the first confirmed fatality caused by the organism from
possible exposure at the park. Source: Lake Mead National Recreation
Area
Wednesday, November 30, 2022
Lake Mead National Recreation Area
Person sentenced for sexual assault on minor
An individual was sentenced to 20-55 years in prison for attempted
sexual assault, child abuse resulting in bodily harm, and second-degree
kidnapping related to an incident with a 14-year-old in May 2018 at
Sandy Cove. The individual pleaded no contest to the charges and did not
admit to any wrongdoing or take responsibility for the crimes or impacts
on the survivor. The case was investigated by the NPS' Investigative
Services Branch and prosecuted by the Clark County District Attorney's
Office. Source: Lake Mead National Recreation Area
December 28, 2022
Lake Mead National Recreation Area
Assault investigation ongoing
On August 28, 2022, an individual between 25-35 years old was assaulted
by a group of people while camping with family along the shoreline of
Lake Mohave's Nelson Landing area. It is thought that the victim would
have required medical intervention due to the extent of injuries. Law
enforcement from the park and the Investigative Services Branch are
seeking information from the public to identify the victim because it
may be helpful in other ongoing investigations. Source: Lake Mead
National Recreation Area
Wednesday, January 11, 2023
Lake Meredith National Recreation Area
Property theft suspect apprehended
On January 1, a 40-year-old was arrested for suspected involvement in
"the majority of burglaries in the Fritch area." The Hutchinson County
Sheriff's Office SWAT team, Fritch Police Department, and NPS served a
search warrant for stolen property in the Lake Meredith Harbor area and
found the suspect hiding in nearby bushes. The individual was arrested
on multiple counts of theft of property. Source: ABC7 Amarillo
Wednesday, April 5, 2023
Lake Mead National Recreation Area
Follow-up on Previously Reported Incident
Clark County (NV) coroners were able to use DNA analysis and
historical records to identify human remains that were discovered in
Calville Bay in October 2022 by a concession dive operator (see 11/22/22
Coalition Report). The individual was a 39-year-old who accidentally
drowned in April 1974. Source: The Guardian
May 10, 2023
Lake Mead National Recreation Area
Lost hikers rescued
On April 30, a 54-year-old parent and 26-year-old child were hiking on
the White Rock Trail when the older one became dehydrated and fell. The
younger individual went toward the trailhead to get help and also became
exhausted. They were able to contact emergency services to report their
condition and were "in and out of consciousness." Staff from the NPS,
Mohave County (NV) Sheriff's Office, Lake Mohave Ranchos Fire, and a
Western Air Rescue DPS helicopter from Kingman responded to the
incident. They were spotted from the trailhead and rescuers were able to
call in both of their locations to the helicopter, which picked them up.
They were taken to a command post and evaluated by Lake Mohave Ranchos
Fire staff. Source: KVVU
May 10, 2023
Lake Mead National Recreation Area
Follow-up on Previously Reported Incident
On April 26, the Clark County (NV) Coroner's Office announced that three
sets of human remains found at Swim Beach in Boulder Basin in July and
August of 2022 are those of a 52-year-old who went missing in July 1998.
The individual had been fishing in a boat just off Boulder Beach and
their boat was found running circles on the lake, above a depth of 181
feet of water. The cause and manner of death have not yet been
identified. Source: Las Vegas Review-Journal
June 7, 2023
Lake Mead National Recreation Area
"Hundreds of incidents" over Memorial Day weekend
Over the three days of Memorial Day weekend, the park recorded 568
incidents: 252 warnings, 48 citations, 12 arrests, three boat accidents,
five motor vehicle accidents, six emergency medical calls, two fires,
and 22 search and rescue calls. Source: 8 News Now
June 21, 2023
Lake Mead National Recreation Area
Possible suicide
On June 16, a 20-year-old individual "appeared to have intentionally
went over the edge near Sugarloaf Mountain." They died from the jump.
NPS staff, Mohave County Sheriff's Office Search and Rescue, and a
Western Air Rescue Kingman Department of Public Safety helicopter
assisted with the recovery of the individual's body, which was located
in steep, hazardous terrain. An investigation of the incident is
underway. Source: Mohave Valley Daily News
June 21, 2023
Lake Mead National Recreation Area
High flow warnings
From June 20-22, the Southern Nevada Water Authority will hold back
water, then make releases, resulting in a series of low and higher flow
events. Visitors are advised to avoid lower Las Vegas Wash, downstream
of Northshore Road. Source: KTNV
July 5, 2023
Lake Mead National Recreation Area
6 deaths over Fathers Day weekend, 1 other that week
Over June 17-18, Fathers Day weekend, the park experienced many
incidents, including six fatalities. Three people were killed in a
multi-vehicle accident, two people drowned, and one person died of an
apparent suicide (see the 6/21/23 Coalition Report). Furthermore, the
park rescued 23 people and responded to multiple criminal incidents,
including assault, theft, and drug use. Source: Arizona Public Radio
On June 22, two people rented a pontoon boat from Las Vegas Boat Harbor
in Boulder City. That afternoon, one of them jumped off the boat and did
not resurface. It is suspected that the individual drowned. The search
for the individual is ongoing. Source: Las Vegas Review-Journal
Wednesday, August 9, 2023
Lake Mead National Recreation Area
3 drownings
On July 29, a 42-year-old was reported to have gone missing at Crawdad
Cove. On July 30, NPS staff were able to recover the individual's body.
The Clark County coroner's office confirmed that the individual died due
to drowning. Source: Las Vegas Review-Journal
Over the weekend of August 5 and 6, two individuals drowned in the lake.
Monsoon winds caused hazardous conditions for boats and swimmers. These
were the eighteenth and nineteenth fatalities in the park this year,
many of which have been drownings. Source: Lake Mead National Recreation
Area
August 23, 2023
Death Valley National Park, Joshua Tree National Park, Lake Mead National Recreation Area, Manzanar National Historic Site, Mojave National Preserve
Hurricane/Tropical Storm closure
Most of the above parks announced preemptive closures between August
18-20 due predicted flooding from Hurricane/Tropical Storm Hilary. It is
the first official National Weather Service Tropical Storm Warning in
history for the region. Source: KTLA, Desert Sun, Lake Mead National
Recreation Area, Manzanar National Historic Site
Lake Mead reopened on August 22. The Las Vegas Boat Harbor
(concession-operated) was severely damaged and the Callville Bay Marina
is still without power, as of August 22. Source: Lake Mead National
Recreation Area
August 23, 2023
Lake Mead National Recreation Area
Boat crash fatalities
On August 12, two individuals were killed in a boat crash at the
Callville Bay boat ramp. One of the individuals was identified as a
48-year-old, and the Clark County coroner's office said they died of
blunt force trauma and that the death was "ruled an accident." Details
about the others' death have not been released. An individual involved
in the crash was arrested on charges of operating a vessel while under
the influence. Source: Las Vegas Review-Journal
November 16, 2023
Lake Mead National Recreation Area
Fecal bacteria
On November 7, the park closed the Arizona Hot Springs, its
associated trail, and the White Rock Canyon parking lot on Highway 93
due to high levels of fecal bacteria in the water. The park does routine
water monitoring around the park for safety, which revealed the issue.
No illnesses have been report thus far. When the water quality is back
to federal and state standards of safety, the areas will reopen. Source:
KJZZ
Wednesday, January 10, 2024
Lake Mead National Recreation Area
1976 human remains identified
On November 23, 1976, hikers discovered human remains in a shallow
grave about six miles east of Katherine's Landing. Investigators
determined the individual was shot in the head at close range. Though
fingerprints were gathered and a composite of the victim's face was
developed, no leads were ever found about the individual's identity. In
October 2023, Mohave County Sheriff's Office's Special Investigations
Unit began a review of the case and compared them against national
fingerprint records, a resource that did not exist in the 1970s. The
victim was identified, and detectives learned that the individual was
living or working in the Las Vegas area around their time of death.
Officials have not yet been able to locate any relatives of the
individual. Source: St. George News
April 17, 2024
Lake Mead National Recreation Area
Vandalism
On April 7, two adults were recorded on video toppling natural rock
formations from the top of a cliff in the area of the Redstone Dunes
Trail. This incident is considered vandalism of the landscape. The NPS
is looking for any information the public can provide. Source: Lake Mead
National Recreation Area
May 1, 2024
Lake Mead National Recreation Area
Elevated bacteria again
On April 24, the park announced that water quality monitoring at Arizona
Hot Springs showed increased levels of fecal coliform, enterococci, and
E. coli, all exceeding local, state, and NPS standards for recreation.
The park plans to engage in "enhanced monitoring," and if levels
continue to rise, they will close the hot springs until they decrease to
safer levels. The area was closed in October 2023 due to high bacteria
levels, as well. At that time, sandbags were removed to allow water to
flow freely, which allowed bacteria levels to decrease. Source: 8 News
Now
May 29, 2024
Lake Mead National Recreation Area
Overturned jet ski
Over the weekend of May 18-19, two individuals overturned their jet ski
in high winds and were observed to be struggling in the water. The
incident was reported to rangers nearby, who responded and found the
pair wearing "poorly fitted" life jackets that were slipping over their
heads. The rangers were able to use a throw ring to bring both
individuals to safety. Source: KTNV
June 12, 2024
Lake Mead National Recreation Area
Fire
On June 9 at about 12:30 AM, a fire broke out at the Las Vegas Boat
Harbor Marina. Several agencies responded to the scene and were able to
contain it "within hours." About 15 boats were damaged or destroyed by
the fire. There is a partial closure in place on the R and I docks. The
cause is under investigation. Source: Lake Mead National Recreation Area
June 26, 2024
Lake Mead National Recreation Area
Shooting
On June 16, a shooting took place near Lakeshore Drive and Sunset
Overlook. "Officials said the incident started out with a crash." No
other details were given. The NPS Investigative Services Branch is
looking for any information the public can provide. Source: News3LV
June 26, 2024
Lake Mead National Recreation Area
Follow-up on Previously Reported Incident
The Las Vegas Metro Police have released images of the clothing found
with human remains inside a barrel in May 2022 (see 5/4/22 and 5/18/22
Coalition Reports). They hope that the images might allow a family
member to identify them. Detectives have also requested DNA from
multiple families with unsolved missing persons cases from the late
1970s and early 1980s. Source: Carolina's Own Queen City News/KLAS
July 10, 2024
Lake Mead National Recreation Area
Swimming fatalities
On June 24, while boating with friends at Lake Mead, two individuals
went for a swim and did not return. On June 28, a team from the NPS and
Las Vegas Metropolitan Search and Rescue found both individuals deceased
in the Callville Bay area. Source: Lake Mead National Recreation Area
July 24, 2024
Lake Mead National Recreation Area
Follow-up on Previously Reported Incident
On July 12, the park released a letter from Superintendent Mike Gauthier
expressing gratitude to the many individuals and agencies who have
supported the June 9 Las Vegas Boat Harbor Marina fire incident (see
6/12/24 Coalition Report) and its aftermath. Source: Lake Mead National
Recreation Area
August 21, 2024
Lake Mead National Recreation Area
Drowning
On August 10 around 8:30 PM, a 58-year-old was paddleboarding with a
group of five other individuals near Boulder Islands when heavy winds
started up. Several group members fell into the water. The 58-year-old
went missing in the incident. They were not wearing a life jacket at the
time. Personnel from the NPS, Nevada Department of Wildlife, Las Vegas
Metropolitan Police Department Search and Rescue, and Southern Nevada
Off Road Recovery supported a search. On August 14, the individual was
found deceased, north of Boulder Harbor. Source: News3LV, Las Vegas
Review-Journal
September 4, 2024
Lake Mead National Recreation Area
Follow-up on Previously Reported Incident
On August 23, two individuals, ages 31 and 37, were indicted for pushing
large rocks off the edge of a cliff onto the ground near the Redstone
Dunes Trail on April 7, 2024 (see 4/17/24 Coalition Report). The
incident resulted in "damages in excess of $1,000." Each individual was
charged with one count of injury and depredation of government property
and one count of aiding and abetting. A jury trial has been scheduled
for October 8. Source: U.S. Attorney's Office: District of Nevada
September 18, 2024
Lake Mead National Recreation Area
Drowning
Over Labor Day weekend, a 19-year-old waded into deep water and "fell
off a shelf" in the Nelson's Landing area. They were not wearing a
personal flotation device. The individual went unresponsive and a
bystander helped retrieve them from the water. Resuscitation efforts
were unsuccessful. Source: News3LV
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