Omaha Fire and Rescue crews recovered the body of a missing swimmer this morning from the ConAgra Lake at Heartland of America Park downtown. The swimmer was reported missing around 10:15 p.m. on Wednesday when a woman reported to authorities that she heard a man calling for help.
Fire Captain Steve Thornberg says they started a rescue mission last night that included turning off the large water fountain but were unable to find the missing man. After three hours they called off the search and resumed the effort this morning using boats equipped with sonar.
Captain Thornberg says, “This morning we got Water Rescue 43 into the water at about 8:30. They went out and were able to identify a potential object on the bottom. They came back in and kind of regrouped. They went back out and reached down with pipe poles and were able to retrieve the victim we believe was the one swimming last night.”
Captain Thornberg says the body was found about 30 feet from shore. He says that area of water is tricky to navigate as there are many pipes and other objects under the water for the fountain. He reminds people there is equipment in that water that can be damaging to them and swimming is not allowed in the lagoon.
Officials are now in the process of identifying the victim.