Sheriff IDs Berryessa drowning victim

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Saturday, April 25, 2009

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By KERANA TODOROV
Register Staff Writer

Lake Berryessa coverage

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The man whose lifeless body was found Thursday in Lake Berryessa at Spanish Flat Resort was identified as a maintenance worker, the Napa County Sheriff’s Department reported Friday. No foul play is suspected in the incident.

Carl Lyons, 63, lived and worked at Spanish Flat, which closed in July, according to the Sheriff’s Department. He had last been seen on Tuesday.

Lyons’ truck was found within the resort near the shoreline, within the resort, according to the Sheriff’s Department.

Investigators say they believe Lyons was trying to secure some docks to the shore at the time of the incident. An autopsy will be conducted to determine if this was an accidental drowning or if Lyons suffered from a medical condition that contributed to his death, the Sheriff’s Department said.

Lyons had worked on and off for years at the resort and enjoyed his work as a caretaker, said Paul Quarneri, a longtime Spanish Flat area resident who lives across the street from the resort.

Lyons was a happy-go-lucky man, Quarneri said.

Marcia Ritz, owner of the nearby Spanish Flat Country Store, saw Lyon last Monday, when he came in to buy groceries.

“He was a really, really nice man,” Ritz said.

Spanish Flat closed last year under a new plan by the Bureau of Reclamation to remake the lakeshore’s recreation. Spanish Flat could reopen next summer, according to the Bureau of Reclamation, which owns the land.

10 comment(s)

flacoman wrote on Apr 24, 2009 11:40 AM:

" Mr. Lyons was there to help the BOR have someone on site to discourage trespassing. He replaced the couple who had worked there since the resort was closed. Although alone there, the BOR, with all of their resources, called this 63 year old man to secure their docks for them. He was not getting paid to secure docks, and because of the negligance of the BOR, he's dead.
Just one more victim, of many, of the BOR's rampent incompetince. "

you wrote on Apr 24, 2009 4:43 PM:

" what is BOR? "

Maya wrote on Apr 24, 2009 6:56 PM:

" Bureau of Reclamation? "

napagirl1970 wrote on Apr 24, 2009 8:34 PM:

" Bureau of Reclamation...Fed's "

mafi wrote on Apr 25, 2009 9:28 AM:

" My condolences to his family and friends.;-( "

clean and serene wrote on Apr 25, 2009 12:10 PM:

" How sad! the BOR has really, truly made a mess at the lake and it's sad to hear of another victim of the BOR actions.

God Bless that man and his family.

If it was an accident I hope the family files suit against BOR. "

exiled wrote on Apr 25, 2009 8:33 PM:

" Ahh man, Carl... He was my neighbor the last months at the resort. Big NASCAR fan. Came their down on his luck as I recall. That's too bad. He was a rear gentleman with a sweet disposition. It's such a shame that Carl has become a victim of this messy situation. BOR takes no responsibility for anything. This will unfortunately likely fall back on the X concessions liability. I'm certain the Bureau will however use this accident to leverage their slippery scheme along. "

berryessababe wrote on Apr 25, 2009 11:51 PM:

" how much blood needs to be shed before the bor gets the message ! they messed up the lake and keep ruining lives or are responsible for the loss of life what ashame!
as for carl REST IN PEACE "

glenroy wrote on Apr 27, 2009 9:19 AM:

" It's a sad story indeed....

His family should go after the BOR BIG TIME. "

NapaNative1984 wrote on May 19, 2009 1:41 PM:

" I wonder if we can ever have a year when no one drowns at Berryessa. "

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