By Associated Press - Friday, May 8, 2020

FORT COLLINS, Colo. (AP) - A teenager died after the canoe he was in with his younger brother flipped in windy conditions on a lake in northern Colorado, authorities said.

Windsor Severance Fire Rescue responded to a lake in Windsor on Thursday and found the teenager’s 8-year-old brother onshore wearing a life jacket. The teenager, identified Friday as 13-year-old Mason Mages, was not wearing a life jacket and was missing, the Coloradoan reported.

Crews were hampered by high winds, said Fire Rescue Chief Kris Kazian, and it was unclear how far from shore the canoe was when it flipped.

“There were big waves and very dangerous conditions on the lake when we arrived,” Kazian said. “The waves were so large that we weren’t able to initially access the water because of the safety concern.″

Divers were alerted by a search and rescue dog and later found the boy’s body.

“It is very important for everyone when on or near the water to understand the changing weather conditions we experience here and that life vests are a recommended practice,” Kazian said. “Windsor is a very tight community that suffered a loss yesterday and the best thing we can do now is come together and learn from this tragic situation and make sure we hug our kids.”

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