Rescue workers spent Wednesday afternoon on Lake Mead, responding to calls for assistance from boats that capsized or sank.
According to National Park Service spokesperson Kevin Turner, six vessels were severely damaged in the Callville Bay area, including Sandy Cove and Lovers Cove, and more than 40 people were rescued during July 4.
Officials said one injury was reported involving a person getting caught by a boat propeller blade. Rangers also noted a 19-year-old who nearly drowned when he was swimming near Echo Bay.
The teenager was rescued by a passing vessel. He was stabilized by rangers and Echo Bay Marina staff and transported to University Medical Center by Mercy Air, NPS said.
"It has been a wild day out here on Lake Mead," said Nevada Game Warden Karen Welden.
On this Fourth of July, the only flags getting attention on the lake are the red warnings, flapping in the wind.
Welden responded to several accidents starting around noon. That's when heavy winds created dangerous waves.
"(Boaters) were just so scared. They were so panicky and scared," Welden said.
One witness snapped several photos before rescue crews arrived, and nearly every boater returning to the dock had seen or heard about the rescues.
Las Vegas resident John Camp said he had to rescue some boaters himself.
"We ran into a group of probably 10 people who had capsized, and they couldn't get anything. They lost their cell phones - they lost any communication whatsoever," Camp said.
FOX5 was there as one rescued group arrived safely at the dock at Callville Bay, but none of the passengers wanted to speak on camera about the ordeal.
"I even saw one guy knelt down and prayed, because he was so relieved that everybody was well - even though they must have had a really dramatic and scary event out there for about a half hour until we could get to them," Welden said.
Other boaters sought refuge on beaches and coves until the wind speeds reduced at around 3 p.m.
"We were docked on the perfect spot. We kind of hid from the winds and jumped in, and had a blast," said boater Danelle Doernbrack.
"The 10 people - they went out and they were gathering firewood just in case they had to stay for the night," Camp said.
Copyright 2012 KVVU (KVVU Broadcasting Corporation). All rights reserved.
A dreary but still busy 4th of July at Lake Mead. (Matt DeLucia/FOX5)
A wrecked boat washes ashore. (Witness photo)
(Witness photo)
