GRAND TETON NATIONAL PARK — A 30-year-old man died following a drowning incident in Jackson Lake on Wednesday, July 2, according to an announcement by Grand Teton National Park (GTNP).
Rangers responded to Colter Bay’s Swim Beach around 5 p.m. on Wednesday after a 911 call reported a person in distress in the water. Responders performed CPR on the victim for approximately one hour, but “resuscitation efforts were unsuccessful,” the park’s statement reads.
The victim, from El Paso, Texas, had been stand-up paddleboarding on the lake when a storm moved through the area, bringing strong winds and waves, GTNP said.
“He was not wearing a life jacket and became separated from his paddleboard,” the statement reads.
GTNP noted that the incident exemplifies the risks inherent to open water recreation in the mountains. Visitors are reminded to:
- Always wear a life jacket, regardless of swimming abilities.
- Be prepared for cold water temperatures, even in summer.
- Keep a close eye on the weather. Conditions can change quickly in the mountains.
The incident remains under investigation, GTNP stated.
