Frank Perez, a 31-year-old man, drowned
Tuesday in a lake at Virginia Beach's Mount Trashmore. Authorities said
that the man was trying to recuperate his remote-controlled boat which got
stuck in the water.
According to WAVY-TV, the man fell in
the water and never came back. Sgt. Brent Burnette said that a diver discovered Frank Perez’s body 30 yards from shore.
Although people
began searching him when they saw he hadn’t come back, it was too late.
Dive teams and
emergency workers were called in, but his body was found only Wednesday.
Officials said that the man went into the water to get back his toy boat.
Apparently the boat was broken, that is why it couldn’t return to shore with
the help of the remote. Witnesses said that a friend jumped in the water as
well, to try and find Perez.
“He was also in
the water but he came back in because he also dropped and the temperature got
so cold he locked up and came back out but the other guy didn't make it,” said Leslie
Baker, a witness, according to WAVY-TV.
Sgt. Burnette
said that Perez’ body was found after 5 hours of searching and that the water
temperature was so low that it could have left breathless any person who dared
to dive in it.
The official
report said that Perez’ death was an
"apparent accidental drowning.