12 hours ago
Capsized boat accident on Lake Tahoe: What we know
This story has been updated.
A powerboat capsized Saturday, June 21, on Lake Tahoe amid a sudden afternoon storm, leaving eight passengers dead and two rescued
More: Breaking: One of two missing boaters in Lake Tahoe tragedy found dead Sunday night by sheriff
Here's what we know about the incident as of 11:30 a.m. on Tuesday, June 24.
What kind of boat capsized on Lake Tahoe?
According to Coast Guard officials, the boat was a gold 27-foot vessel built by Chris-Craft, a Florida-based powerboat manufacturer.
Where did the boat capsize on Lake Tahoe?
The boat capsized off the shoreline near D.L. Bliss State Park on the southwest side of Lake Tahoe.
Who were the passengers on the Lake Tahoe boat that capsized?
The El Dorado Sheriff's Office, which is leading the investigation into the boating accident, released the names of the eight victims. They are:
Joshua Pickles was an executive with food delivery platform DoorDash. Here's a closer look at those who died.
Were passengers on the capsized boat on Lake Tahoe wearing life jackets?
There was no immediate information about if any of the boaters were wearing life jackets.
It's recommended that personal flotation devices be worn while aboard motorized vessels, but California law requires them only for passengers 13 years of age and younger. Coast Guard-approved life vests must be carried and readily accessible for each passenger if the vessel is 16 feet or longer. The 27-foot Chris-Craft boat would fall under this definition.
The National Park Service warns that water temperatures below 70 degrees can cause hypothermia within minutes. In 50-degree water, a person can survive for about 10 minutes before being unable to save themself, NPS said. With a life jacket, someone might survive for an hour before hypothermia sets in.
The Tahoe Environmental Research Center at UC-Davis is reporting the alpine lake's water temperature is just over 58 degrees on Sunday.
What were weather conditions like when the boat capsized on Lake Tahoe?
The boat that capsized was just one of many that were damaged by the sudden storm on Saturday.
The National Weather Service reported a temperature drop at nearby Emerald Bay from 50° F at noon to 38° F at 3 p.m., approximately the time the boat capsized. Wind gusts topped 35 mph, with snow and rain falling in the immediate area; swells were reported as high as eight feet.
Which agencies responded to the capsized boat on Lake Tahoe?
The El Dorado Sheriff's Office is the lead agency for rescue and investigation efforts, and several other agencies also have assisted. Coast Guard personnel responded to initial reports of the capsized boat and launched an air search Saturday afternoon into Sunday morning.
Seasonal lifeguards on nearby beaches also responded to the incident.
Where is Lake Tahoe?
Lake Tahoe is a freshwater lake high in the Sierra Nevada range, straddling the border between Nevada and California. It trails only the Great Lakes in total water volume and is renowned for its clarity. The majority of its surface area, including the site of the boat accident, is in California.
Since 1969, Nevada and California have worked to address issues regarding development and environmental concerns through the Bi-State Compact and the Tahoe Regional Planning Agency.
What are conditions like at Lake Tahoe this week?
A sudden shift in the weather brought unseasonably cool temperatures to the region and dropped snow to the Sierra on the first full day of summer on Saturday, June 21, and adverse weather conditions are expected to continue for the coming days.
The National Weather Service predicts a slight chance of showers and thunderstorms for the Lake Tahoe area through Tuesday, with clear skies and daytime highs in the 60s and 70s through Sunday.
