Two drown at Wheatfields Lake

By Bill Donovan
Special to the Times

CHINLE, August 7, 2012

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W INDOW ROCK - Two men, both from the Wheatfields area, died over the weekend in a drowning accident at Wheatfields Lake.

Navajo police have not released the names of the victims yet but chapter officials said the drowning occurred between midnigh and 1 a.m. on Saturday.

Paula Begay, Wheatfields Chapter coordinator, said the victims were among four men who had gone out in a canoe late Friday evening doing some night fishing. The canoe overturned and only two of the occupants made it to the shore.

Rescue crews spent the next two days searching the lake for the bodies and finally located them Sunday evening.

A number of agencies were involved in the rescue operation including the Apache County Sheriff's office, the Navajo Nation, Search and Rescue Squad, Navajo Nation divers and chapter officials.

The chapter also provided food throughout both days to those on the scene.

The Navajo Nation Police Department is expected to release more information on the matter on Tuesday as police officers remained on the scene for most of Monday continuing he investigation.



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