A journey of fraternity to Lake Havasu ended in tragedy during the weekend after a 18 -year -old Cal Fullerton drowned in fast waters in the popular recreation destination, authorities said.
Simon Daniel disappeared under the surface while swimming in the copper cannon around 3 pm on Saturday, according to the department of the San Bernardino County Sheriff. His body was found around 8:54 am the next morning, authorities said.
The drowning was the first of at least two emergencies that involved university students to which the Sheriff’s department responded during the weekend.
Tanner Prentis, a 22 -year -old UC Barbara student, disappeared after spending Saturday night with friends at Big Bear Lake. His body was found in the water on Monday.
The Sigma Pi fraternity said in a statement that Daniel was “the heart of the fraternity” and “shone in each room with his brilliant smile.” The first year student of computer science comes from Pinole and was known for his “love for music, unlimited energy and friendly smile.”
According to the fraternity, Daniel entered the water on the Lake Havasu River along with three brothers in the fraternity and two members of a brotherhood that joined the brothers on the trip.
The group did not know that recently the rain had brought to dangerous swimming conditions that include strong currents, cross wind and waves, the fraternity wrote. After suddenly finding themselves in trouble, several other brothers of the fraternity “Heroically risked their own lives” in an attempt to rescue the six students, according to the fraternity.
But Daniel was swept by a sudden wave, separated from one of the rescuers and disappeared under the surface.
The rescue teams of the department of the Sheriff of the County of San Bernardino and the department of the Sheriff of the Mohave County deployed the divers where Daniel was last seen, the authorities said.
The divers toured the water and deployed scanners to sound to look for Daniel until dusk. On Sunday morning, the divers located and recovered their body with the help of a distance operated vehicle.
More than 200 students attended a vigil in candlelight for Daniel on Sunday night.
“Simon is survived by his mother and a community of loved ones and brothers who deeply cry their loss,” the fraternity wrote.
Both Cal State Fullerton and UC Santa Barbara are offering crisis advice services to help students deal with sudden deaths.
