Lake Maintenance Worker Drowns while Removing Weeds from a Golf Course Lake

California Case Report: 15CA001

SUMMARY

A lake maintenance worker drowned after falling from a row boat while clearing vegetation (weeds) from a golf course lake. The victim worked for a lake management company. The victim was “corralling” aquatic weeds by dragging a rope out into the lake, and circling the weeds while standing up in a 10-foot aluminum, non-motorized fishing boat. The movement in the boat caused it to capsize, throwing the victim into the water. The victim was recovered from the bottom of the lake six hours later by the sheriff’s dive team. The victim was working alone in the boat, was not wearing a personal floatation device (PFD) and did not have proper training in hazard recognition or water safety.

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