Man drowns while fleeing patrol officer in Horseshoe Lake Park

A man who was swimming in Horseshoe Lake Park after hours drowned while fleeing a patrol officer, and his body was recovered five hours later by a dive team.

PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) – A man drowned in Horseshoe Lake Park very early Thursday morning while fleeing a patrol officer in the area, according to Woodland police.

Authorities say an officer on the scene reported seeing the man in the park shortly after midnight after the park had closed. When the officer flashed his patrol lights, he reported seeing the man flee deeper into the park and toward the lake.

According to police, the officer found the man swimming halfway across the lake about 10 minutes later. 

“It was at this time the subject began to ask for help saying he was unable to swim anymore,” police said.

The officer called for rescue assistance and jumped into the water with a life jacket in an effort to help the man in the water, but he went under the surface and divers were unable to locate him.

“Due to the length of time the male had been in the water it was determined the event would no longer be a rescue mission but a recovery mission,” police said.

A dive team discovered the man’s body about five hours later, according to police. His identity has yet to be shared with the public.