18-year-old drowns at Big Bear Lake

An 18-year-old man swimming with friends drowned Monday morning at Big Bear Lake, authorities said.

The man and his two friends were attempting to swim about 100 yards to a rock formation in Boulder Bay when the victim cried out for help and sank under the water. The two friends were unaware that he needed help and began looking for him, the San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department said.

The water was about 15 feet deep and approximately 64 degrees, said Jodi Miller, a department spokeswoman.

Deputies responded about 10:45 a.m. Dive team members, some of them brought in by helicopter, searched the area and recovered the body about 12:50 p.m.

The man was pronounced dead at the scene, Miller said. His name was not released because relatives had not been notified.

-- Robert J. Lopez

Comments

[Birse]

I was there at the park when this happened. It took the police a very long time to get into the water to search for him. They had boats on the scene pretty quickly, but they didn't actually get into the water for quite a while. It was all very sad.

[Christopher MckAY]

I know the victim. My friends know the 2 other men that were with him at the time,, there is suspicion that they are possible suspects to the victims death. The victim was seen in Yucca Valley 3 days ago. That's the last we saw him, and the last we ever will.

[Joe momma]

with friends like this, who needs enemies?

[Serenity Stilwell]

This was my nephew, I had heard about this late in the afternoon yesterday and was very sadden and heartbroken to hear about my nephews death. It's still shocking to me this happened and can't seem to stop crying i just hope that he is in a better place and want him to know he will never be forgotten and will always be in my heart

[Gabriella]

I was on my way back home to Los Angeles with my boyfriend when we saw the helicopter and drove past Boulder Bay. I got a terrible feeling and now I know why. This is a terrible tragedy. My heart goes out to his family and friends.

[Ryan Brown]

this was also my cousin, and i cant believe this has actually happened.
me and my brother were hit pretty hard when we heard the news. i still remember when we were in mexico on vacation and we were on a fishing trip, and a great tale of how me and him caught a 24-pound halibut , at first the fish had caught his line then it caught my line and we both pulled it up, there is a picture at the Mexican fishing tour shop of me and my cousin standing there holding up that great fish i cant believe that was the last time i was ever going to see my cousin again. Serenity i know how you feel and i know he is in a better place than we are now. To my cousin, i will never forget you.

[Amy]

Were there any warning signs posted for swimming?

[Amy]

Were there any warning signs for swimming posted?

[Amy]

Were there any warning signs for swimming posted?

[Jack C]

When we were dropping off keys to rental place emergency crew came. We had feeling something went wrong. Now we just found out what happened and feel terrible for the boy and his family. We never been in Big Bear Lake area before and it left bad impression to us. To me overall whole Resorts safety was not good. Some guy hit my wife off of the Alpine Slide's cement track with his sled. She got so many cuts and bruises. They told us that it was her fault she was in fast lane which no one told us or any sign we've seen. We just glad she wasn't riding with our 2 year old. We know these are accidents but they should do better to avoid them. We really enjoyed fresh air, nice condo and great Fire work but we will not go back for sake of our children's safety.

[Michael Griffo]

Nathan was my cousin and i just found out the news. if anybody has any information about this please contact me asap i would like to know what happened and if there is anything i can do to help

[kevin]

I was at Boulder Bay that morning fishing with my kids. I saw his friends on the other side of the bay yelling and then noticed a swimmer in the water. Myself and 2 others that were fishing from the dock immediately ran to the shore. He had gone under twice while we were still running. As I dove in to the water, he went under again and didn't resurface. I swam out to where he went under and dove down as far as I could. The water was very murky and there was a lot of plant material. I could not find him. Another man arrived on a boat and jumped in and also started to dive. We just couldn't find him. I am a lifeguard and this experience really shook me. I feel terrible for his family.

[CHRISTINE LANDERS]

I AM SO SAD THIS HAS HAPPENED. HE WAS SUCH A GOOD BOY. jUST GRADUATED FROM HIGH SCHOOL AND JUST ABOUT TO ATTEND COLLEGE. I JUST TOOK HIS GRADUATION PICTURES AND WE JUST HAD HIS GRADUATION PARTY. MY PARENTS LOVED HIM VERY MUCH LIKE HE WAS THERE OWN. I SPENT ALOT OF TIME WITH HIM AND WATCHED HIM CHANGE FROM A BOY TO A YOUNG MAN. I WISH I COULD JUST SEND HIM A MESSAGE AND SAY I AM SORRY. WE LOVE YOU MYRON.

[CHRISTINE LANDERS]

MYRON HAS BEEN LIVING WITH US FOR JUST ABOUT 4 YEARS NOW. HE WAS A GOOD BOY. HE JUST GRADUATED FROM NORTON HIGH AND WE JUST HAD HIS GRADUATION PARTY. HE LOVES HIS BROTHER PAUL VERY MUCH. MYRON TRASNFORMED FORM A YOUNG BOY TO A YOUNG MAN. HE WAS GOING TO ATTEND COLLEGE. THIS HAPPENING SEEMS SO UNREAL. MY PARENTS LOVED HIM LIKE HE WAS ONE OF THERE OWN. I WISH I COULD SEND HIM A MESSAGE AND TELL HIM HOW SORRY WE ALL ARE THIS HAPPENED. WE LOVE YOU MYRON