An 18-year-old Cal State Fullerton student, Simon T. Daniel, tragically drowned during a fraternity trip to Lake Havasu over the weekend. Daniel, a freshman computer science major from Pinole, California, was with his Sigma Pi fraternity brothers and visiting sorority members when he disappeared in the Copper Canyon area around 3 p.m. on Saturday.
The group was unaware of hazardous swimming conditions caused by recent heavy rains, which increased water flow and created strong currents, crosswinds, and swells. In a statement, the fraternity said, “Several fraternity members heroically risked their own lives to rescue all six students.” Unfortunately, Daniel was swept away by a sudden wave and disappeared beneath the water.
Rescue teams from the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department and the Mohave County Sheriff’s Department conducted a search using divers, sonar, and a remotely operated vehicle. Daniel’s body was recovered on Sunday morning at around 8:54 a.m., according to the Los Angeles Times.
Sigma Pi described Daniel as “the heart of the fraternity,” known for his “love of music, boundless energy, and kind spirit.” Over 200 students attended a candlelit vigil in his memory on Sunday night. Both Cal State Fullerton and UC Santa Barbara, where another student drowned the same weekend, are offering crisis counseling services to help students cope with the losses.
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