The Mohave County Sheriff’s Department has identified Bruce Buchanan as the man killed in Saturday night’s fatal boating accident at Lake Havasu, AZ. He died after being transported to the Havasu Regional Medical Center. He was 51. An unidentified woman is still missing.
TheCount.com has learned that a woman identifying herself as “Karen Jones” on Facebook, commented that the missing female is her niece.
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“Karen Jones: “My niece is still missing, how could such a wonderful weekend turn into tragedy.. R. I. P. Bruce.”
TheCount.com has also learned that Buchanan, of Redondo Beach, California, was employed as a Mailhandler for the US Postal Service from October 1994 to present. His last Facebook post, on May 21 at 3:42pm, was to update his profile picture depicting a group of boats docked in a harbor.
Several of Buchanan’s friends expressed their condolences on Facebook,
Sylvia Thorpes: “This is what he loved doing right here!!!”
Keven Logan” “REST MY BRUTHA. Rest with the Angels.!!!”
Nancy Kelley: “RIP….”
According to the sheriff’s department, the 35-foot Nordic twin motor boat flipped around 8 p.m. Saturday. Several witnesses saw the boat traveling north in the South Basin of Lake Havasu near Body Beach, where it made a hard left turn, causing the boat operator to lose control.
Boaters in the area helped several victims out of the water, including Buchanan, who was unconscious and unresponsive. The unmanned boat was still circling the scene at high speed during the rescue, the sheriff’s department said. The boaters brought the victims back to London Bridge Beach, where they were met by members of the Lake Havasu City fire and police departments. CPR was administered to Buchanan, who was then taken to the hospital for further treatment. He was pronounced dead at the hospital.
The missing female passenger was last seen by the boaters who helped pull victims from the water. A search of the area and shorelines was conducted by marine unites from the Mohave County Sheriff’s Office, San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department, Lake Havasu City Police Department and the Lake Havasu City Fire Department, along with a helicopter from the Arizona Department of Public Safety. h/t havasunews
The sheriff’s office says alcohol appears to be a factor, and the operator, who was uninjured, is cooperating in the investigation.
Our thoughts and prayers are with the family and friends at this difficult time.