RENO — Nevada Department of Wildlife this week said a 32-year-old Reno man died in a boating accident at Topaz Lake on Saturday.
Jacques “Jack” Castaneda was boating with one other adult and two minors when windy and stormy conditions caused their boat to capsize about 200 feet from shore. By the time deputies from Douglas County Sheriff’s Office arrived they were able to pull the three other victims from the water.
Castaneda was found unresponsive in the water and pronounced dead after CPR was unsuccessful.
Authorities said the lake’s frigid waters – in the low 50s – likely played a part in the man’s drowning. They also noted that neither of the adults were wearing life jackets.
NDOW Game Warden Captain Brian Bowles said of the cold water, “The average person would start to lose muscle control within the first few minutes. That is why we always ask everyone to wear a life jacket when they are on the water. You just never know what is going to happen.”
Life jackets are required for boaters under the age of 13, but NDOW officials said they recommend them for anyone heading out on the water.
Source: NDOW