DES MOINES- A close call at Gray’s Lake has Des Moines paramedics sending out a warning.
On Sunday, Mitch Weis, a runner crossing the Gray’s Lake bridge, noticed a man flailing and screaming for help in the middle of the lake. Weis instantly jumped in and started swimming in the cold water.
By the time Weis got there, two hydro-bicycles had reached the swimmer, as well. The three were able to pull the swimmer to safety and to paramedics, who were called during the event. The swimmer was transported to a hospital with possible early stages of hypothermia, but is OK.
Technically, Gray’s Lake is not open for swimming until after Memorial Day and swimming is not allowed past the buoyed area. There are also no lifeguards on duty.
Twice in the last week, Des Moines medics have been called out to help people using the lake.
“It’s early in the season, water temperatures haven’t increased enough. That cold water, people don’t appreciate how hypothermia sets in. The cold water causes mental confusion, your physical motor skills start to get limited, so even a strong swimmer could get challenged out there,” said Brian O’Keefe, Des Moines Fire Department.
Gray’s Lake now has limited hours for water recreation and swimming will open after Memorial Day.
Officials wanted to remind people swimming in the Des Moines and Raccoon River is never allowed.
To check more details about Gray’s Lake activities, visit https://www.dmgov.org/Departments/Parks/Pages/GraysLakePrkActEvents.aspx
