Struggling toddler pulled from water after kayaking accident that killed 2 in Colorado

A toddler was pulled from a Colorado lake after strong gusts of wind capsized three kayaks and killed two people, officials said.

An adult and child were sharing one kayak on Sunday, Oct. 23, at Lake Pueblo State Park when they were knocked around by wind gusts up to 45 mph, Colorado Parks and Wildlife said. Two other kayakers rushed to help the pair, but they also capsized.

“At that point all four people were in the water near the Sailboard beach area on the north shore of the lake,” park officials said in a news release.

Rangers rushed to the scene and found a toddler “in obvious distress,” park officials said.

“(One ranger) plunged in, grabbed the child and began performing CPR until emergency medical crews arrived,” officials said. “The child was flown by UCHealth’s LifeLine helicopter to a hospital in Colorado Springs for treatment.”

Rangers also quickly found and recovered one adult’s body. One adult was still missing, so officials launched an underwater drone to scour the lake.

An hour later, a ranger found the adult’s remains about 20 feet underwater, officials said. Both bodies were taken to the county coroner to determine a cause of death and identify the remains.

“This is another heartbreaking tragedy and we send our deepest sympathies to the families and friends of these victims,” Park Manager Joe Stadterman said in the news release. “We continue to urge everyone to pay close attention to weather conditions and to wear life jackets when they are on or near the water so we can avoid future tragedies like today.”

At least five others have drowned at Lake Pueblo this year, Parks and Wildlife said. Nearly 40 people have died in “water-related fatalities in 2022” in Colorado.

Lake Pueblo is about 120 miles south of Denver.

This story was originally published October 24, 2022 at 7:20 AM with the headline "Struggling toddler pulled from water after kayaking accident that killed 2 in Colorado."