Man drowns at Lopez Lake after boat capsizes
A 47-year-old Southern California man drowned Thursday afternoon at Lopez Lake near Arroyo Grande, according to the San Luis Obispo County Sheriff’s Office.
Rescue crews responded to a 911 call at 2:20 p.m. after a boat flipped over with three people inside near the Cottonwood Cove area of Lopez Lake.
Witnesses said three people were sailing on the lake on a catamaran when it capsized. Two of them were wearing life jackets, Cal Fire spokesman Chris Elms said.
The man who was not wearing a life jacket “was having a hard time” swimming back to shore, went under the water, and was not seen again.
The Sheriff’s Office dive team was able to find the man’s body about 6:30 p.m.
Authorities have not released the man’s identity, pending notification of next of kin. No foul play is suspected, and the investigation is ongoing.
The other two men aboard the boat made it safely to shore.
Lucas Clark: 805-781-7915, @LucasClark_SLO
This story was originally published June 22, 2017 at 9:52 PM with the headline "Man drowns at Lopez Lake after boat capsizes."