Man Drowns in Okemah Lake - KTUL.com - Tulsa, Oklahoma - News, Weather & Sports

A man drowned in Okemah Lake Friday evening.

41-year-old Paul Eugene Lombard was swimming in the designated swimming area near the west shore and attempted to swim across the cove to the east and tried to swim back to the cove, but he was unable to stay afloat—according to an OHP Troop D report.

Mr. Lombard reportedly called out for help but was unable to make it to shore.

Authorities located his body using side-scan sonar and recovered him using a hook/lift/drag rescue stick, about 75 feet from the south shore in 18 feet of water.

A KTUL viewer alerted Tulsa's Channel 8 to this incident Friday night, but the Okfuskee County Sheriff's Office was unable to release any information at that time.

Oklahoma Highway Patrol (OHP) Troop W was assisted by the Okemah Police Department, the Okfuskee County Sheriff's Office, the Creek Nation Lighthorse Police, the Creek Nation Dive and Recovery Team, and the Okemah Lake Rangers.

The OHP report indicated that Mr. Lombard had not been wearing a life vest.