PUEBLO, Colorado — Colorado Parks and Wildlife say they recovered the body of Joshua Prindle in 107 feet of water Tuesday morning on the north shore of Lake Pueblo State Park.
"Our MERT team worked all night and around 5:45 a.m we located a victim in 107 feet of water," said Joe Stadterman, park manager at Lake Pueblo and MERT team member. “This is a tragic loss of life,” Stadterman said. “And it underscores the importance of being extremely careful around the water. If you are on or even near the water, we strongly urge you to wear a life jacket.”
Fort Carson has confirmed Sergeant Joshua Prindle and his wife Jessica as the couple who died as a result of the Sunday boating accident on the lake.
Witnesses reported 13 people were on a small Jon boat during high winds when it overturned. The boat was visible as it was tied up near the shore mostly submerged.
Officials said there were 13 people on a 16-foot boat, the typical capacity is five to six people.
Late Sunday, Park Rangers rescued 8 juveniles and three adults from the water who were experiencing hypothermia. At that time, the body of Jessica Prindle was also recovered.
"Our heartfelt condolences go out to the family as we continue to work with the Pueblo County Sheriff's Department," said Fort Carson officials in a statement to News5.
The Prindle family is from Pueblo West.
It is unknown if everyone was wearing life jackets, the two people who were deceased were not wearing life jackets.
Officials said contributing factors include weather and an overloaded vessel.
