GRDA Police continue to stress the importance of wearing a life jacket after responding to multiple drownings over the 4th of July holiday weekend.

The Grand River Dam Authority Police Department is reporting that it has recovered the body of Levi Gibson (39, Afton), near the Patricia Island area on Grand Lake near 5PM on Friday, July 5th. According to GRDA Police, witnesses in the area saw Gibson jump into the lake on July 4th, from a boat, to assist a child who had fallen off a towed water device. He did not resurface.

GRDA officers also responded to a second drowning near the Flint Creek Waterpark, west of Siloam Springs, Arkansas on July 4th. According to reports, on Thursday afternoon, citizens recovered an adult male (26, from Mexico) that was under the water and began to administer CPR. However, he was pronounced dead at the scene by emergency medical services (EMS).

A third incident occurred on the Illinois River on the evening of July 4th, near the Edmondson Access Area. A person was under water for a few minutes and rescued and aided by bystanders.

On the evening of June 5th, GRDA officers responded to a drowning incident on Grand Lake. They recovered the body of an 18-year-old male, Oklahoma City.  According to the GRDA Police, they responded to a call regarding an individual, who had been swimming with friends in the Locust Cove area. He had jumped from the roof of a dock into the lake but did not resurface. GRDA Police responded to the scene and made recovery of the body at approximately 7:45PM, in 31 feet of water.

The three victims were taken to the Medical Examiner’s office in Tulsa.

GRDA Police continue to stress the lifesaving importance of all who recreate on the water to boat and float safe, smart, and sober and to always wear a properly fitting life jacket.