Body recovered at Lake Stockton, Collie after man drowns while swimming

Police divers have recovered the body of a 22-year-old man who drowned in Collie’s Lake Stockton.

The man’s body was found about 30m from shore at a depth of about 15m at 9.20am after an extensive two-day search.

The man had been enjoying the lake with a group of family and friends in waist-deep water just after 5pm on Monday when an inflatable device they were using was blown further out.

After making an effort to retrieve the device the man got into difficulty before disappearing below the surface about 25m from the shore.

After hearing calls for help, three women aged 16 to 19 swam to where the man was last seen but couldn’t save him.

Collie Senior Sergeant Heath Soutar praised the trio’s brave efforts.

“They were three strangers to the group that were using the lake,” he said.

“They had been using a jetski on the other side of the lake, had just brought that back in when they responded to the calls for help.”

A man with diving experience also attempted to help in the rescue but could not reach the depths needed to find the man.

A fourth woman also joined the rescue attempt.

Sen. Sgt Soutar said many lakes in the Collie area were former mines which had steep drop-offs that people needed to be wary of.

“I implore people that are using the lakes and water bodies to be aware of the surroundings and environment,” he said.

“Be comfortable with your own swimming ability and the depth of water you are swimming in.”