A man’s body was found in Donner Lake several hours after reports of a possible drowning were made Friday afternoon in Truckee, California.
According to KCRA, the man had been riding on an inner tube without a flotation device when he went underwater, and divers later found his remains about 140 feet deep in the lake.
The Truckee Police Department was first notified of the emergency at 12:10 p.m. when a caller reported seeing a person potentially drowning in Donner Lake. The man was last observed in the water and had been enjoying recreational activity involving an inner tube at the time, according to authorities.
Officials stated that the man was not wearing a flotation device while on the inner tube. Shortly afterward, he went underwater and did not resurface, prompting an urgent search operation by local responders. Efforts to locate the missing individual began quickly, with response teams initiating a search in the lake’s vicinity. The rescue and recovery process involved scanning the waters in what became a multi-hour operation as authorities worked to pinpoint the man’s location beneath the surface.
Body Located Hours After Initial Report
Following several hours of searching, officials were able to locate the man’s body late in the afternoon. The remains were recovered just before 5 p.m.—more than four hours after the initial call was received.
The man’s body was discovered at a significant depth. According to the Truckee Police Department, it was located at approximately 140 feet beneath the lake’s surface, highlighting the complexities and challenges faced during recovery efforts in deep water. The identity of the deceased has not been made public at this time. Authorities have not yet released any additional information about the man pending notification of next of kin and further investigation.
No Life Vest Likely Complicated Survival
The absence of a life jacket or flotation aid played a key role in the incident, based on early police assessments. Prosecutors and rescuers noted that the victim had not been wearing any such safety device when he entered the water on the inner tube.
Truckee police commented on the circumstances in a public statement, noting, “Initial reports indicated that before going underwater, the man was being pulled on an inner tube while not wearing a flotation device.” Emergency calls alerting officials to the situation came in quickly. “Officers got a call at 12:10 p.m. for a report of a possible drowning,” police said, describing how the response team mobilized soon afterward.
Lake Depths Present Serious Hazards
The depth at which the man’s body was recovered suggests the lake’s waters may have posed significant hazards to swimmers and floaters alike. Donner Lake, located in a mountainous area and known for its cold and deep waters, can present life-threatening conditions for individuals without proper gear.
Though occasional rescues are performed in the area, recoveries at depths exceeding 100 feet are particularly difficult due to murky visibility and the pressure underwater. Specialized dive teams or sonar equipment are often required in such situations. This incident again raises awareness of the importance of water safety, particularly during recreational activities involving deeper bodies of water such as lakes. Officials have long urged caution and the use of safety devices for anyone entering lakes, especially those being towed on equipment like inner tubes.
Community Awaits More Details
As of Saturday, the town of Truckee continues to react to news of the drowning, with many awaiting more information regarding the man’s identity. No timeline has been given for when the name of the victim may be released.
Recovery efforts at Donner Lake concluded Friday evening after locating the man. Investigators will continue looking into the events leading up to his disappearance, and an official report is expected in the days to come. Authorities have not indicated whether any other individuals were involved in the tubing activity or witnessed the incident directly. Further details may become available as the investigation progresses and interviews are conducted.
Reminders About Summer Water Safety
This tragic event serves as a sobering reminder of the risks associated with open water recreation. Warmer summer months often bring more visitors to lakes like Donner, increasing the importance of safety protocols, especially when flotation devices are not used.
Local police and fire departments frequently issue reminders about the use of life jackets, particularly for those participating in activities involving towed flotation devices. While the weather in Truckee remained suitable for outdoor activity on Friday, lake conditions beneath the surface can differ significantly from those on land. As community members reflect on the loss, officials urge continued vigilance during water-based outings. The recovery at Donner Lake has once again brought water safety to the forefront as summer continues in the Sierra Nevada region.
