An 18-year-old freshman from Cal State Fullerton accidentally drowned during a friend trip to Lake Havasu over the weekend.

Simon T. Daniel was reported missing after disappearing below the surface Saturday afternoon, according to the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department. His body was recovered shortly before 9am on Sunday.

According to the Sigma Pi fraternity, Simon Daniel, alongside three fraternity brothers and two sorority members, entered the Lake Havasu River Saturday afternoon. However, recent rainfall had severely worsened their swimming conditions, including “strong currents, crosswinds, and swells,” they wrote.

The group realized the severity of their situation and made desperate escapes out of the water. According to the fraternity, several other fraternity members “heroically risked their owns lives” to rescue the remaining students. A sudden wave trapped Simon underneath the water, pulling him away from rescuers, the fraternity said.

Emergency responders and divers searched for Simon using sonar equipment until nightfall. His body was found Sunday morning with the assistance of dive teams and remotely operated vehicles.

 

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A crowd of over 200 students attended a vigil for Simon Daniel Sunday night.

“With deep sorrow, we are the heartbreaking news that Simon T. Daniel, a first-year student at Cal sTate Fullerton, Tragically passed away in an accidental drowning while on vacation over the weekend,” the Fraternity posted online.

Cal State Fullerton is offering counseling for those affected by the sudden death.