By Associated Press
Jay, OK – JAY, Okla. (AP) - Two hunters from Checotah have drowned in Lake Eucha in Delaware County after trying to swim to shore when their boat began taking on water.
The Oklahoma Highway Patrol says 15-year-old Colyn L. Jones and 35-year-old Jonathan K. Searles died about 5:45 a.m. Saturday and their bodies were recovered shortly after 9 a.m.
Authorities say four passengers in the boat were trying to cross the lake to go deer hunting and the overloaded vessel began taking on water about 30 yards from shore.
Troopers say the four occupants, all wearing heavy hunting coveralls and boots, began trying to swim to shore. They say Jones began to panic and Searles went to assist him, but neither returned to shore. Two other men made it safely to the shore.