The Pueblo County Coroner in Colorado identified the man as Manuel DeJesus Villanueva Miranda.
A 53-year-old man lost his life while rescuing four children who were struggling to stay afloat in a lake in Colorado.
He was found unresponsive on the shore of Sailboard Beach at Lake Pueblo State Park on the afternoon of Wednesday, May 14, and later pronounced dead, according to a statement from Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW). On May 16, the Pueblo County Coroner identified the victim as Manuel DeJesus Villanueva Miranda of Colorado Springs.
“The victim went out to help kids swimming in rough waters, and surrounding park visitors saw him go under the water and went to pull him out,” officials said in a press release issued on May 15.
CPW confirmed that two of the children were his own, while the other two were friends of the family.
“All of the kids are safe and with their respective guardians,” CPW reported.
Lake Pueblo State Park Rangers received the emergency call just before 2:45 p.m. and responded within minutes. Despite efforts from witnesses, park staff, and medical teams, who performed CPR for nearly 40 minutes, they couldn’t revive him.
“CPW offers condolences to the family and friends of the victim and everyone involved in the incident,” said Becky Buist, operations manager at Lake Pueblo State Park.
While the official cause of death hasn’t been released, CPW noted that Miranda wasn’t wearing a life jacket. The lake’s water was around 50 degrees Fahrenheit, and strong winds made conditions even more dangerous.
Swimming in water colder than 68°F is considered hazardous, the agency warned.
“Sudden immersion in cold water can cause gasping, inhalation of water, and hypothermia, resulting in unconsciousness or swimming failure as muscles become numb,” CPW explained.
To promote water safety, CPW urged visitors to always wear a personal flotation device, even when paddleboarding or kayaking.
“A life jacket keeps your airway above the water, supports your body if you stop swimming, and can save your life if you lose consciousness,” CPW advised.
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