A Pima County Sheriff’s Department corrections officer was attempting to swim across Patagonia Lake Wednesday night when he drowned, the Santa Cruz Sheriff’s Office said.
The body of 20-year-old Brayan Torres was pulled from the lake around 10:30 a.m. Thursday by the Santa Cruz Sheriff’s Office dive team after he was reported missing, said Deputy Assistant Director Michelle Thompson with Arizona State Parks.
The drowning occurred about 7 p.m. Wednesday, but rescue operations had to be suspended 2½ hours later, Thompson said.
Santa Cruz Sheriff’s Department Chief Deputy Gerardo Castillo said it appears Torres was attempting to swim the lake for recreation, but realized he couldn’t make it across and turned back, never making it to land.
Thompson said this wasn’t a frequent occurrence at Patagonia Lake, and the last time a drowning like this happened was in 2016. She noted there are no lifeguards on duty at the lake and the body of water is large with different depths.
The lake is considered to be wild water, and swimmers swim at their own risk, according to the Arizona State Parks website.
Agencies involved in the rescue effort included Arizona State Parks, Santa Cruz County Sheriff’s Office, Patagonia Fire Department and Rio Rico Fire District.
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