Lexington man drowns while swimming at Laurel River Lake

Officials confirm a Lexington man drowned Saturday afternoon in Whitley County after witnesses tried to save him.

It happened at Laurel River Lake Spillway Beach.

Kentucky Department of Fish & Wildlife said it was called to a potential drowning at the beach area. WKYT is told a 42-year-old man was transported to Baptist Health Corbin, where he was pronounced dead by the Whitley County coroner.

The Coroner has confirmed the victim's identity as Alfonzo Sanchez-Gonzalez, 42, from Lexington.

Conservation Officer Chris Meadows was first to the scene. He told WKYT it was a busy day at the beach, with upwards of 150 people swimming.

Witnesses told Meadows the man was swimming fine, went under once and didn't come back up. He said after around eight minutes witnesses found the man, pulled him out of the water and gave him CPR. Among the witnesses were a nurse, doctor and volunteer firefighters.

"There was about 15 of us. A lot of volunteer firefighters was here. We all was doing CPR on him, working the breathing mask, trying to get him revived," Andrew Grigsby, who tried to help, said. "I was needing to try and help save that man's life."

Kentucky Department of Fish & Wildlife is handling the death investigation.

The man's name has not been released, at this time.