A man who drowned at Longmire Lake near Pauls Valley Tuesday evening has been identified by authorities as 42-year-old Emmett Matthews, of Norman.
Pauls Valley Police Chief Don May said first responders were called to the north side of the lake just before 7 p.m. Tuesday, after Matthews went under the water and failed to resurface while trying to help his 14-year-old son.
The family had been swimming at the lake when the teen ventured too far out into the water, according to May. Matthews and the teen’s mother both tried to assist him and managed to get the teen back to where he was on solid footing, before Matthews went under.
“It appears right now that the dad may have gotten too far out and became exhausted and went under the water,” May said.
The 14-year-old and the woman involved were not physically injured, according to authorities. All three were identified as having Norman addresses.
Matthews’ body was located by the Pauls Valley Fire Department Tuesday evening and recovered with assistance from a Chickasaw Nation Lighthorse Police Dive Team.
May said this is the first drowning accident at Longmire Lake this season.
“It’s definitely a reminder to always wear life jackets when you are in open-water swimming situation like this,” May said.
The Pauls Valley Police and Fire Departments were assisted at the scene by Garvin County Emergency Management, Garvin County Sheriff’s Office, Lighthorse Police and the Oklahoma State Medical Examiner’s Office.