Claremore Man Drowns While Trying To Save Fisherman

<p>Northwest Rogers County Fire said they located the victim's body about eight feet off the lake's bank just before 1 a.m. Monday. &nbsp;</p>

Monday, June 26th 2017, 8:48 am

By: Amy Slanchik


Police said a man who drowned at Claremore Lake was trying to help another fisherman who fell in the water, but he never resurfaced.

Police said if it weren't for some helpful people, more than one person could have drowned.

Jolson Nat Neha was fishing with his cousin Sunday night at Claremore Lake.

6/25/2017 Related Story: Claremore Fire Department Searching For Body Of Drowning Victim

"We generally have people fishing in that area. It's not obviously anything like Grand Lake," said Officer Brian Burnett with Claremore Police.

Neha’s said it was his second time there.

Burnett said, "They were along the bank on the shoreline"

Burnett said the man's cousin slipped and fell into the water, so Neha went in to help him.

Police said he didn't come back up and estimate the water in the area is about 12 feet deep.

The 29-year-old went by "Nat," the family said, and leaves behind his 1-year-old daughter.

We're told he was a welder and that his goal in life was "to take care of his family and protect them."

Police said before they arrived with emergency responders the first man who fell in, Alton Chavez, was already out of the water thanks to a group of people who saw what was going on.

"Jumped into action and attempted to save both of these individuals' lives," Burnett said.

Chavez said three people used a golf club help pull him out of the water.

Police said it's been at least two years since there's been a drowning there.

Amy Slanchik

Amy Slanchik is passionate about storytelling. She joined the News On 6 team in May of 2016 after spending almost two years in Fort Smith, Ark. She is a proud University of Oklahoma graduate.

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