SAPD Searches for Accident Victim on Lake Nasworthy

The SAPD and paramedics are at Lake Nasworthy right now with search and rescue crews looking for a victim involved in a jet ski/ kayak accident.

From what was reported over the radio, two jet skis collided with one or possibily two kayaks close to the ASU Lake House.

Our reporter on the scene says that an ambulance possibly transported one or more victims of the crash to the hospital shortly after he arrived on the scene. Lake patrol is circling the lake, and a detective is on the scene. More SAPD search boats are showing up and onlookers are cruising close by as well.We will continue to bring you the latest updates as the search and rescue continues.

Update 9:30 p.m.

Police Chief Tim Vasquez says that one person is missing and that they are dragging the lake now.

UPDATE 10:30 p.m.

ASU just announced via twitter that the university lake house will be closed tomorrow June 7, adding that they will update everyone when it reopens.

Update 12 a.m.

San Angelo Police Sgt. Barry Wike briefed the media on the search and rescue operations underway at Lake Nasworthy. He said Officer Welch was leading the search and Detective Hernandez was leading the accident investigation.

Wike said that two kayaks were traveling together side-by-side. A jet ski collided with both kayaks. A female victim who was piloting one of the kayaks came up and was rescued. They other kayak pilot was missing.

The other operator of the kayak didn’t come up, Wike said.

Texas Parks and Wildlife were assisting in the search and will be out at the location in the morning.

“We’re probably looking at a recovery effort, not a rescue,” Wike said.

The kayak pilot who is missing is probably not wearing a life vest. They found the life vest attached to the kayak. 

“Lake water doesn’t have current. We use underwater sonar, but it’s not a submarine. We use our best efforts and the tools that we have. So far we have not seen anything that is promising,” Wike said.

Scientifically, the body will develop gases and it will float, Wike said.

The other victim was taken to the hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.

Wike said that the Jet Ski pilot was not intoxicated and was very helpful in attempting to find the missing kayaker. Wike said that at the time of the crash, the Jet Ski pilot was traveling towards the setting sun and was blinded to the kayakers. “He didn’t see them,” Wike said.

The recovery effort will begin at 7 a.m. Sunday morning, Wike said.

Update 12:20 a.m.

Angelo State President Brian May tweeted, "Very sad to report an accident this evening near the ASU Lake House. Keep the Ram Family in your thoughts and prayers." The accident occurred in front of the Angelo State University lake house.

Very sad to report an accident this evening near the ASU Lake House. Keep the Ram Family in your thoughts and prayers. #RamFam @angelostate

— Dr. Brian May (@AngeloStatePres) June 7, 2015

Update June 7, 2015 11:30 a.m.

Police have not released the name of the missing kayaker. They did say that he is a 20-year-old male. The female victim was treated and released from the hospital. The search continues throughout the morning. So far, there were no announcements of the kayaker being found. The ASU boat house on Lake Nasworthy is closed.