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“So Very Sad”: 21-Year-Old Swimmer Suffers Tragic Fate on a Vacation Under Unfortunate Conditions, Leaving Netizens Devastated

Published 05/23/2023, 5:07 PM EDT

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Vacations are supposed to be a time to relax and have fun, and spend some quality time with one’s family. And while on vacation, especially a tropical one, swimming is one of the most common activities undertaken. There is just something relaxing about floating in the water. However, sometimes, these peaceful times are marred by frightening events.

Earlier this year, a 10-year-old boy’s vacation was ruined when a shark attacked him and bit off a chunk of his leg when he was swimming in the warm oceans of Mexico. Luckily for the boy, he survived the terrifying attack and was declared out of danger. However, recently, a swimming accident took away the life of a young man, and this time, it was not a shark that was responsible, but simply nature.

The swimming adventure that took away a precious life

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Lake Okoboji is a popular vacation spot in Iowa, with scores of tourists indulging in a variety of activities, including boating. On Saturday, May 20, several agencies were dispatched to an area of the lake, known as Miller’s Bay, as there was a report around 1:26 p.m., of a male drowning in the lake. According to a post on the incident by Arnolds Park/Okoboji Fire and Rescue, the emergency service provider in the area, the victim was 21-year-old Alexander Glover.

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While swimming in the lake, the victim started to drown. However, initially, he could be seen under the surface and his family members tried to throw in a rope to try and save him. This was in vain, as Glover couldn’t get hold of the rope. In spite of this, a kayaker dived into the water and managed to bring Glover up to the surface of the water. After the young man was brought up, his family immediately started performing CPR in an attempt to rescue him. Members of the Arnolds Park/Okoboji Rescue, Milford Rescue, and Lakes Regional Healthcare continued resuscitation efforts when they reached on site.

Glover was then transferred to Lakes Regional Healthcare Emergency Room for further treatment. Unfortunately, he could not be saved. According to KEYC News Now, Glover was on vacation with his family when he jumped off the boat for a short swim. But the boat kept drifting away from him. He tried to swim toward it, however, got too fatigued to reach it and started slipping underwater, which ultimately led to his drowning. When Glover jumped into the water, the temperature was 57 degrees Fahrenheit and the water was 13 feet deep.

Drowning incident shocks the internet

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When the news broke out on social media, netizens were rightly dismayed. It is always harsh to lose a young life, however, to go in such a gruesome manner simply adds wound to the salt. A user, rightly in despair after hearing the tragic news, said, “So very sad.” Another person expressed the same sentiment, and said, “praying for his family and friends so sad”.

People also expressed how cold the water was, which might have been a major chunk of the problem. Someone commented, “Your muscles lock up in cold water it’s really not warm enough for that kinda stuff”. Another person wrote, “The water is too cold yet!” On similar lines, a dejected individual commented, “That is so sad. Too cold for swimming yet.”

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It is devastating to hear that a young life was extinguished in such a manner. But this is a cautionary tale for everyone, that nature can turn from relaxing to menacing in a matter of moments.

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Written by:

Apoorva Behl

600Articles

One take at a time

Apoorva Behl is a sports writer for EssentiallySports. With a range that would make Bruce Lee proud, Apoorva’s writing embodies the philosophy of "Be Like Water," flowing seamlessly between a diverse range of sports and sensitive angles. Her articles are known to resonate with her audience, earning her a common spot on the Editor’s Pick list.
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Edited by:

Anupama Ghosh