Walworth County Sheriff: 19-year-old drowns in Whitewater Lake

WHITEWATER, Wis. (WISC) -- Officials have identified the 19-year-old who died in the water in Whitewater Friday evening.

The Walworth County Sheriff's Office said Courtland A. Cornelius, of Palatine, Illinois, drowned in Whitewater Lake on Ridge Road. He wasn't wearing a life vest, officials said.

According to a news release Monday, officials said Cornelius had been swimming with a friend, a 19-year-old Fort Atkinson woman. They were trying to regain control of a driving personal watercraft.

The woman called authorities when Cornelius became distressed and submerged at about 5:30 p.m.

The sheriff's patrol boat was dispatched to the area and arrived within minutes, according to the release. The Whitewater Fire Department, patrol deputies and the Wisconsin DNR were also notified to respond.

Divers recovered Cornelius's body at 9:55 p.m., the sheriff's office said.

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WHITEWATER, Wis. (CBS 58) --  The Walworth County Sheriff's Department confirms that a 19-year-old man drowned in Whitewater Lake on Friday evening.

Rescue crews were called out to a water-related emergency near N7721 Ridge Road in Whitewater around 5:30 p.m.

A 19-year-old man had been swimming with his friend when he attempted to regain control of a personal watercraft that was drifting away.

The friend called 911 to report that her friend was distressed and submerged below the surface.

Emergency crews responded and removed the man's body shortly before 10 p.m.

The victim has been identified as Courtland Cornelius, 19, from Palatine, Illinois.