A 19-year-old Weyauwega man is dead after an afternoon of swimming took a horrible turn. Gustavo Hernandez who lived just blocks away from the community lake in Weyauwega was said to be an inexperienced swimmer and possibly with alcohol in his system according to police at the time of his death.
The Weyauwega swim lake is the place to go in town on a hot summer day in Weyauwega. Monday it was no different when 19-year-old Gustavo Hernandez showed up at the man-made lake with a co-worker.
"We kind of suspect he performed a shallow dive in the deepest end of the pool," says Sgt. Brandon Leschke of the Weyauwega Police department.
Hernadez’s co-worker didn't notice that the 19-year-old had gone in according to police. He assumed after not seeing his friend for awhile he must have gone home.
"In the meantime (he) left the facility and then came back," says Sgt. Leschke.
It would be an estimated 40 minutes before the young man would be found by life guards at the bottom of 10 feet of water. Hernandez was given CPR but to no avail. He would pass away there with family just blocks away. Once they arrived family told police, the young man wasn’t known for swimming.
"Not being a very good swimmer if a swimmer at all… it was just a recipe for a poor outcome. And I don't think there is any better planning anybody could do to make it any better," adds Sgt. Leschke.
Police say alcohol may have been a contributing factor in the young man's drowning. And those with experience in being a life guard say all water should be respected regardless of your comfort level with it.
"Any water can turn into a dangerous situation," says Ann Moeller the Recreation Supervisor with the Green Bay Parks.
Adding that those who don't have experience in pools, they must be that much more cautious around bodies of water, regardless of age.
"Making good choices and knowing you're limitations I think is key," adds Moeller.
