PAULS VALLEY, Okla. — A 42-year-old Norman man drowned Tuesday evening at Longmire Lake after going underwater while assisting a teenager who had swum out into the water, authorities said.
What happened
Shortly before 7 p.m., first responders were called to the north side of Longmire Lake following reports that a man had gone underwater and did not resurface. The Chickasaw Nation Lighthorse Police dive team searched the area and located the victim after roughly one hour, according to the Pauls Valley Police Department.
The department identified the victim as Emmett Matthews. He was at the lake with his wife and their 14-year-old son. Police said Matthews drowned while helping the teenager, who had swum out into the lake.
"Our thoughts and prayers are with his family during this difficult time, as well as with all of the first responders and others who assisted in the search and recovery efforts," Pauls Valley police posted on Facebook.
Local setting and response
Longmire Lake lies south of State Highway 19 off N3340 Road in a rural area between Pauls Valley and Stratford. The location lies outside city limits but involves residents from the Norman area and surrounding communities. The Chickasaw Nation Lighthorse Police Department's dive team was the primary recovery unit on scene, working alongside Pauls Valley first responders.
- Victim: Emmett Matthews, 42, Norman resident
- Incident: Drowned while helping a 14-year-old swimmer
- Location: North side of Longmire Lake (south of SH-19 off N3340 Road)
- Response: Report shortly before 7 p.m.; body recovered by dive team after about one hour
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Time of call | Shortly before 7 p.m. |
| Recovery time | Approximately one hour |
| Victim age | 42 |
| Accompanying family | Wife and 14-year-old son |
This loss underscores hazards that can occur at rural lakes frequented by families across Oklahoma during warm months. While authorities continue to investigate and complete any necessary reports, the Pauls Valley Police Department thanked those involved in the search and recovery and asked for privacy for the family.
News Block will update this report as officials release more information.
