Latest news with #SigmaPiFraternity
San Francisco Chronicle
22-05-2025
- San Francisco Chronicle
Bay Area teen drowns at Lake Havasu during college fraternity trip
A Bay Area teenager drowned Saturday at Lake Havasu during a trip with his college fraternity, authorities said. Witnesses called 911 after Simon Daniel, an 18-year-old from Pinole, disappeared under the water around 3 p.m. Saturday near Copper Canyon on Lake Havasu, a recreation spot in Southern California on the Arizona border, according to the San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department. In a Facebook post, the Sigma Pi Fraternity at California State University, Fullerton, identified Daniel as a proud member and freshman studying computer science. That afternoon, Daniel entered the Lake Havasu River with several fraternity brothers and sorority members who 'found themselves in distress,' according to the Facebook post. 'Unbeknownst to them, recent heavy rains in the Havasu Valley region had significantly increased water flow, creating hazardous conditions including strong currents, crosswinds and swells,' according to the fraternity. Several fraternity members tried to rescue the swimmers, but Daniel was swept away by a sudden wave and separated from his group, according to the post. Deputies from the San Bernardino and Mohave county sheriff's departments deployed divers and remote operated vehicles where Daniel was last seen in the water, authorities said. The search team found his body around 8:54 a.m. Sunday, according to the sheriff's office. The fraternity said Daniel was a respected leader on campus who was known for his love of music, boundless energy and kind spirit. More than 200 people gathered Sunday evening in Fullerton for a candlelight memorial where people placed bouquets of flowers by photos of the smiling teen. 'He was the heart of the fraternity — genuine, joyful, and someone who brightened every room with his brilliant smile,' the fraternity said.
Yahoo
20-05-2025
- Yahoo
College Freshman, 18, Reportedly Dies During Lake Havasu Trip with Fraternity Brothers: ‘He Was the Heart of the Fraternity'
Simon T. Daniel of Pinole, California, drowned while on vacation with members of Sigma Pi Fraternity at Cal. State Fullerton on Saturday, May 17 The first-year student, 18, and other students were unaware that "heavy rains in the Havasu Valley region" had made conditions "hazardous" to swim in before entering the water, according to the Sigma Pi fraternity "He was the heart of the fraternity - genuine, joyful, and someone who brightened every room with his brilliant smile," Daniel's fraternity brothers wrote on FacebookAn 18-year-old California State University, Fullerton student died during a visit to Lake Havasu with his fraternity brothers, according to multiple reports. Simon T. Daniel of Pinole, California, disappeared while swimming in the Copper Canyon area at around 3 p.m. local time on Saturday, May, 17, the Los Angeles Times reported, citing the San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department. He had entered the water alongside three members of the Sigma Pi fraternity and visiting sorority members. 'Unbeknownst to them, recent heavy rains in the Havasu Valley region had significantly increased water flow, creating hazardous conditions including strong currents, crosswind, and swells,' according to a Facebook post by Sigma Pi fraternity. 'When the group found themselves in distress, several fraternity members heroically risked their own lives to rescue all six students,' the post continued. 'Tragically, Simon was swept away by a sudden wave that separated him from one of the rescuers. He disappeared beneath the water.' The San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department teamed up with other agencies to search for Daniel, using divers, sonar and a remotely operated vehicle (ROV) until darkness fell, ABC 7, KTLA, and CBS News reported. His body was found at around 8:54 a.m. the next morning, per the Los Angeles Times, citing officials. Over 200 students attended a candlelit vigil in his memory later that day, and the university announced via the Sigma Pi fraternity Facebook page that those affected by Daniel's death can access their counselling services. 'Simon was a computer science major, a proud initiated member of Sigma Pi Fraternity, and a respected leader on campus,' the fraternity said on Facebook, adding that he was 'known for his love of music, boundless energy, and kind spirit. He was the heart of the fraternity - genuine, joyful, and someone who brightened every room with his brilliant smile.' Never miss a story — sign up for to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories. Sharing photos of Daniel alongside the Facebook post, they wrote, 'Simon is survived by his mother and a community of loved ones and brothers who deeply mourn his loss.' The fraternity called on everyone to be 'respectful and thoughtful' when discussing the tragedy as 'we grieve this profound loss together.' PEOPLE has reached out to Sigma Pi Fraternity at Cal. State Fullerton and the San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department for comment. Read the original article on People
