Body recovered from Woods Canyon Lake
Coconino County, Arizona – A man died after falling through the ice at Woods Canyon Lake in Coconino County, a recreational area northeast of Payson.
The incident occurred around 3:15 p.m. on Dec. 22, and the Coconino County Sheriff’s Office confirmed that the body was recovered just after 10 a.m. on Dec. 23 with assistance from the Gila County Dive Team. .
CCSO said the victim was a 26-year-old man, but did not release his name. The sheriff’s office previously said the victim was an ASU student, but would not confirm that later.
Two others fell into the ice but were able to get out of the water safely.
“No further information is available at this time. The Coconino County Sheriff’s Office would like to thank the Gila County Sheriff’s Office Dive Team, Forest Lakes Fire Department, Department of Public Safety Air Rescue Service, and the Department of Public Safety for their assistance in this incident. I want to thank the U.S. Forest Service.” “The Sheriff’s Office would like to remind recreationists and visitors to use extreme caution and avoid frozen waterways,” the Coconino County Sheriff’s Office said.
This is not the first time such a tragedy has occurred in this area.
In December 2022, 3 people killed in Woods Canyon Lake After walking on the ice and falling into the water.
“Please avoid going out on the ice at all costs.”
“If you look at the photos that were released, it was a partially frozen lake. That lake wasn’t completely frozen, so that ice thickness couldn’t have been better. Ice thickness is also exacerbated by people standing around.”Our advice is to avoid going out on the ice completely,” CCSO spokesperson John Paxton said.
This is especially true with the warm winter weather experienced by the highlands.
Investigators believe it was an accident, but the coroner will determine the official cause of death.
