15-Year-Old Boy Nearly Drowns At Maskenthine Lake

Stanton County Sheriff’s Office personnel are continuing to investigate a near drowning at Maskenthine Lake north of Stanton, on Friday evening.  Just after 6 p.m., members of the the sheriff’s office responded to the emergency call of a 15-year-old that had been in trouble in the water near the swimming beach.

The youth was brought out of the water by two friends after he was observed having difficulty in the water when he went under, swallowing a large quantity of water, in the process.  The youth was found to be semi-alert and suffering from cold-water exposure. He was stabilized and transported to Faith Regional Health Services by ambulance for treatment.

The beach area is posted as closed by the Lower Elkhorn Natural Resource District, who operates the recreation area. As such, no one should have been in the water.  As many as 20 teenagers were in the area at the time of the call.  Members of the sheriff’s office have investigated five prior drownings at the lake in the past 20 years and ask everyone to use vigilance and extra precautions when in the water and that patrons especially not enter water that is posted as off limits.  Stanton Fire and Stanton County Emergency Management also responded to the call for help.