Louisville teen drowns at Nolin Lake, authorities emphasize water safety

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) -- A teenager from Louisville drowned at Nolin Lake last week, according to authorities.

Edmonson County Emergency Management Director Terry Massey said Isaac Mwungura was part of a group of students from Portland Christian School that went to a private home on Twin Oaks Drive for a birthday party on Wednesday, July 24.

A search began when his shoes and phone were found on a private dock after the 18-year-old from Kenya hadn't been seen for two hours.

A friend who was fishing nearby said he cast his line, turned around and noticed Mwungura was missing.

At first, Massey said they weren't sure if he was in the water or lost. So search dogs and drones were used to search the area.

"They looked around and found evidence," Massey said. "They found his shoes and cellphone down at the dock, and that is where he was last seen."

More than 60 people and multiple agencies helped search the water along with the Hart County Dive and Rescue team, which used sonar to look for him.

Massey said their search crews train for this type of emergency.

"We practice as far as search and rescue," he said. "We practice that. We go near the water. We wear a life vest and a helmet."

Mwungura's body was eventually discovered under the dock. He was pronounced dead by the Edmonson County Coroner's Office. Witnesses told police that he was not a strong swimmer.

Authorities believe he was on the private dock when he slipped, hit his head and fell into the water.

"You never know what you are going to trip on, slip on and fall, and you're (likely to) impact your head," Massey said.

Visitation for Mwungura is from 2-7 p.m. Friday at Southeast Christian Church on Blankenbaker Parkway. His funeral is 11 a.m. Saturday at the church with burial to follow at Floydsburg Cemetery in Crestwood.

Massey said the last drowning at Nolin Lake was five or six years ago.

Two people also died on Rough River Lake early Sunday in a boat collision near a dock in the Cave Creek area. A second body was recovered on Sunday afternoon. The names of the victims have not been released.

Massey stressed the need for lifejackets and personal floatation devices (PFD), when anyone is on a boat or around water.

"If you don't have floatation device on, boat goes under, boat goes down, you get thrown out of the boat, if you can't swim you are in bad shape," he said.

According to Kentucky Fish & Wildlife, federal and state laws require a life vest for each person on a boat. On boats 16 feet and over, one Type IV throwable PFD is required. Canoes and kayaks are exempt. Anyone under 12 years of age must wear a PFD while in the open part of a moving boat

Personal Floatation Device guidelines from Kentucky Fish & Wildlife:

Coast Guard approved: A label with an approval number will be on the PFD. Check the label on inflatable types of PFDs. Some older models meet Coast Guard approval only when worn.
Serviceability: All straps, buckles, zippers, and stitching must be intact, and the fabric should not be rotted. Some PFDs contain airtight bags filled with fibrous material. Squeeze the bags. If air escapes, destroy the PFD and replace it with a new one.
Size: PFDs must fit properly. Read the label to determine size and weight restrictions.
Accessibility: PFDs must be readily available for immediate use by all occupants of a vessel. It is advisable for each person to try on their PFD before departing so that they are familiar with the fastening devices and to ensure it is adjusted to the person. PFDs shouldn't be stored in the plastic bags in which they were sold. This limits access and can promote rotting.

To read more about Kentucky Fish and Wildlife boating rules, regulations and safety guidelines, click here.

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