Man swimming in Crystal Lake drowns

The Benton County Dive and Rescue Team put two boats into Crystal Lake about 9 p.m. to search for the victim. The body was later found by divers and brought to shore around 11:30 p.m.
The Benton County Dive and Rescue Team put two boats into Crystal Lake about 9 p.m. to search for the victim. The body was later found by divers and brought to shore around 11:30 p.m.

— Gilardo DeLeon Velazquez, 40, drowned in Crystal Lake Sunday evening while swimming with friends.

According to witnesses, Velazquez swam across the lake to the bluffs on the far shore with a friend, Decatur police chief Terry Luker said on Sunday night. On the way back, the friend looked over his shoulder and noticed that Velazquez had disappeared, Luker said.

On Monday, Decatur police sergeant Joe Savage said that police are considering the drowning an accident and don’t believe that alcohol wasinvolved, although they have requested a toxicology report, he said.

Decatur police initially had difficulty identifying the victim and notifying his next ofkin. Velezquez, who was livingin Decatur, was a Mexican citizen and his only family lives in Mexico, according to Savage.

The Decatur fire department responded to the possible drowning callabout 7:45 p.m., according to Decatur Fire Chief David Flynt. The Gravette Fire Department, Benton County Department of Emergency Management, the Benton County Dive and Rescue Team and the Highfill Swiftwater Rescue Team also responded to the call.

Decatur firefighters initially searched for the victim from the water and by looking down from the bluffs above the lake.

The Benton County Dive and Rescue Team arrived around 9 p.m. and put two boats in the water to aid in the search for the body. The body was found by divers and brought to shore about 11:30 p.m.

Doug Gay, public information officer for the Benton County Sheriff’s Office, said the man was found in approximately 25 feet of water, about 100 yards from shore.

Flynt said the body was found near where the witness said Velazquez had disappeared while swimming across the lake.

News, Pages 1 on 06/06/2012