Buckeye man dies at Lake Pleasant

The Maricopa County Sheriff's Office is investigating the possible drowning of a 26-year-old Buckeye man Saturday at Lake Pleasant in Peoria.

Warren Burgess Jr. was pronounced dead by the Peoria Fire Department upon rescue workers' arrival at the lake, said Mike Tellef, a spokesman for the city's police and fire departments.

Tellef said Burgess had been swimming in Cottonwood Cove near the north end of the lake with a friend when "he got into some trouble." The individual with him tried to help but couldn't. She received assistance from people nearby, who pulled Burgess out of the water.

"The lake isn't like a swimming pool or the ocean where the bottom gradually decreases," Tellef said. "If you're not a strong swimmer, then you need to wear a flotation device."

Tellef said "everybody thinks drownings are child issues, but there were 52 fatal drownings in Maricopa County last year, and 38 were adults," he said.

For safety prevention tips, visit the Drowning Prevention Coalition of Central Arizona at www.preventdrownings.org.