TAHLEQUAH —
A Tulsa man drowned Wednesday at Flint Creek on the Illinois River in Delaware County.
According to a report by OSRC Administrator Ed Fite, Nelson A. Vasquez, 28, of Tulsa, was reportedly “horse playing” when he went under water in 5 to 8 feet of water.
Vasquez was recovered by other swimmers 10 to 20 minutes after going under water, and as soon as the victim was removed from the river, bystanders began CPR.
Fite said Cherokee Nation EMS arrived on scene shortly thereafter and continued CPR while transporting the victim to Siloam Springs Memorial Hospital. Vasquez was pronounced dead at 2:10 p.m. by Dr. Matthew Walter.
According to Fite, the victim was not wearing a lifejacket.
The incident occurred immediately upstream of the U.S. Highway 412 Bridge crossing of Flint Creek in Delaware County.
Responding agencies included the Delaware County Sheriff’s Office, Oklahoma Highway Patrol, Town of West Siloam Springs Police Department, Town of West Siloam Springs Fire Department, Flint Ridge Volunteer Fire Department and OSRC.
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