Two men drown at different lakes in northern Arizona

FLAGSTAFF, AZ (AZFamily) — Authorities are reminding people about water safety after two men drowned in two different lakes in northern Arizona during the weekend.

“We’re seeing more people on the water, so the potential for drownings is certainly there. More people have been able to recreate on the water later in the year,” Jon Paxton with the Coconino County Sheriff’s Office said.

The latest incident happened on Sunday afternoon at Ashurst Lake, about 20 miles southeast of Flagstaff, when a camper saw a paddleboard had washed up on shore without a rider.

Coconino County Sheriff’s Office deputies talked to other campers and visitors around the lake and found the victim’s vehicle.

Deputies then received a call from a woman saying her husband was missing.

Coconino County Sheriff’s Office Search and Rescue teams arrived at the lake but were unable to find the man.

On Monday, crews narrowed the search area to a specific part of the lake, and the Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office Dive Team used an underwater remote-controlled vehicle to find him just before 4:30 p.m.

On Saturday, law enforcement was called out to Dogtown Lake in Williams for reports of a drowning. Crews searched the water and found the body of a 58-year-old man from Montana.

“The water is high 50s or low 60s. When it’s hot outside people want to get in the water, but that’s a pretty big temperature difference,” Sgt. Aaron Dick said.

CCSO didn’t say what led up to the drownings but emphasized people should wear a lifejacket anytime they’re on or in the water.

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