(WKYT) – Officials say a Lexington man likely drowned while swimming near Lake Cumberland Marina in Russell County. He has been identified as 42-year-old Andy Schmidt, who lived and worked in a group home in Lexington.
He’s one of two men who drowned in different parts of the southern Kentucky lake over the weekend. 66-year-old Ricky Turner of London drowned in the Pittman Creek area of the lake. The bodies of both were recovered in separate search efforts Sunday.
Friends describe what happened
Sadie Dooley, a friend of Schmidt, said the group had been talking about swimming to the other side of the lake since the night before.
“And it was a beautiful day. And it was so sad to have that happen,” Dooley said.
Dooley said Schmidt and others decided to swim across the channel, about 100 yards. They made it across but had problems on the way back.
“We could see he was struggling,” Dooley said.
Schmidt went under and did not resurface. Search crews were called, and his body was discovered the next day.
“One of my best friends. But I know he was my family. Family, that’s what I think of,” said Tiffany Edmondson, a friend.
Officials cite common factor
Lake Cumberland has not had a lot of drownings or emergencies this summer. Officials say there has been a common factor in many of the drownings on the lake: officials in both Pulaski and Russell counties say neither man who drowned was wearing a life jacket.
Andy Edmonson, a friend of Schmidt, said people tried to tell Schmidt to wear a life jacket, but he chose not to.
“He gave up his. He took off, future people going down there don’t underestimate that water. You don’t realize it,” Edmonson said.
Funeral arrangements for both men have not yet been determined. We are told that Walker Dewayne Funeral Home in Leslie County is handling arrangements for Turner.