Tuesday’s drowning of a Papillion teenager at a Fremont State Lake is a strong reminder of the dangers of swimming in very cold water. Nebraska Game and Parks spokesman Greg Wagner says swimmers should never stray into deep, cold water.
The water in the sandpit Tuesday ranged from 55 to 60-degrees. Wagner says you only have minutes to survive in that cold of water. He says it is very important that those wanting to swim this time of year stay within the buoys, never swim alone and keep close to shore.
18 year old Gabriel Rademacher was swimming Tuesday with a group of friends when he ventured out too far in the cold water and went under. His friends tried to save him but the water was too cold.