Man swimming to rescue daughter drowns in Lake Mohave

Sunday, Sept. 13, 2009 | 8:44 p.m.

A Southern California man drowned Sunday in Lake Mohave while trying to swim to his daughter, whose inflatable raft was being blown by the wind.

The National Park Service and Metro Police divers recovered the body of 45-year-old Derek Au at about 5:30 p.m. in Mesa Cove. The drowning was reported at 11:33 a.m. by Cottonwood Cove Resort staff who overheard a distress call on marine band radio.

The Park Service said Au was with family on a houseboat that was beached while Au's 11-year-old daughter was floating on an inflatable raft. Witnesses told authorities that the wind started to carry the raft away from the boat, prompting Au to jump into the water and swim to his daughter.

He swam about 50 to 60 feet from the boat when he went under the water and never resurfaced.

Another family member was able to swim to the girl and bring her back to the boat.

This is the 11th drowning this year in the Lake Mead National Recreation Area. Au wasn't wearing a life jacket, the Park Service said.

His body has been turned over to the Clark County Coroner’s Office. Au is from the Los Angeles area, but the exact city wasn't known Sunday night.

Discussion: 6 comments so far…

By vc

9/14/09 at 9:17 a.m.

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Another sad story out on the lake.
By JerryWayne

9/14/09 at 10:33 a.m.

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learn the side stroke. it's the easiest swim form, special forces use it to swim long distances.

very sad story
By JahReb

9/15/09 at 6:31 a.m.

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Very sad story. I just don't understand people that go to the lake without knowing how to swim. It just doesn't make sense.
By mommy5683kids

9/15/09 at 8:52 a.m.

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this is very sad, becuase it just happened out there a week before this accident. I am seriously wondering whats really going on.... I think there is something lurking out there in the lake... come on adults drowning???HMMM must be very strong currents out there, maybe it should be OFF LIMIT now... AREA 51 close by????

My prayer and condolence goes out to the family...
By netlivinginc

9/15/09 at 3:03 p.m.

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It's dangerous to swim out into the deep waters without a life jacket. Even a strong swimmer could develop cramps and not be able to swim further. Sad story.