A devastating boating mishap on Lake Tahoe claimed six lives, with two more individuals still missing, following a severe wind storm this past Saturday. The unfortunate event took place around 3 p.m. when a 27-foot Chris-Craft boat capsized near D.L. Bliss State Park in California due to a large wave, as reported by the United States Coast Guard.
The Coast Guard confirmed the death of six people, while two others were rushed to a nearby hospital. The search for the remaining two missing individuals is still underway. The incident was observed by a lifeguard and a park ranger who were able to rescue two people from the water.
Upon reaching the scene, the Coast Guard spotted another person in the water. A lifeguard swam out to help, and both the individual and the lifeguard were brought onto the Coast Guard boat and taken to Lester Beach. Despite the swift arrival of emergency medical services at the beach, the individual was declared dead.
Eyewitnesses reported that the lake was experiencing large waves, with heights reaching 6 to 8 feet due to the wind storm. Video footage from the scene showed boats being tossed around in the rough water. According to local boat captain, Joby Cefalu, the conditions were “more treacherous than 30-foot waves on the ocean.”
Cefalu had set up a triage at the Tahoe Keys Marina office to aid victims, some of whom were suffering from hypothermia. The lake was experiencing unusually high winds and turbulent waters when the boat capsized.
Search efforts for the two missing individuals, led by the Coast Guard and the El Dorado County Sheriff’s Office, resumed on Sunday. The identities of the deceased and missing individuals have not yet been disclosed.