1 kayaker drowns, 1 saved

A Good Samaritan spotted a man and a woman struggling to get to shore after tipping their kayaks in Geneva Lake and was able to help the woman safely to shore, officials said Friday.

The Good Samaritan called 911 about 6:30 p.m. Thursday and waded into the lake to help, said Jason Roberts, a warden with the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources.

The 22-year-old man disappeared beneath the surface and drowned in the 54-degree water. His body was recovered by divers about an hour later. He was identified Friday as Rameses Huerta by the Walworth County medical examiner’s office.

The two were relatively new to the sport and a family friend had lent them recreational kayaks, which are more suited for calm, slow-moving water, not the cold water and rough conditions found on Geneva Lake, Roberts said.

When the man fell in the water, he signaled to the woman for help and tried to climb into her kayak and tipped her in, according to Roberts.

The two were not wearing life vests and struggled about 100 to 150 yards from shore before the Good Samaritan saw them and took action, he said.

“I’m not sure she would have made it back to shore if he hadn’t gone out to help her,” Roberts said of the Good Samaritan.

As people take advantage of sunny and warmer weather, Roberts urges them to take precautions and wear the appropriate gear when out on the water, including a life jacket.

“Most people overestimate their swimming abilities,” Roberts said.