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Durango boy drowns in lake

No foul play suspected

A 6-year-old Durango boy apparently drowned Saturday evening in Navajo Lake while on a camping trip to celebrate his birthday, according to a news release issued Monday by the San Juan County (New Mexico) Sheriff’s Office.

The boy was identified as Cristian Korte.

“He was the most adventurous, funny little kid,” said Katherine Korte, the boy’s mother. “He was my baby.”

Cristian was celebrating his birthday with a camping trip at the lake. He and his older brother, Nikolas, 9, became separated while playing with other kids, his mother said.

After a thorough search, the family found Cristian floating in the lake. CPR was performed until park rangers arrived, but the life-saving efforts were eventually deemed hopeless.

“All weekend, he was trying to swim, but he always had his life jacket on,” Katherine Korte said. “He knew he wasn’t supposed to be over there without his life jacket.”

Deputies were dispatched to an area known as “Cocaine Cove” at Navajo Lake in reference to the drowning. No foul play is suspected.

“This is heartbreaking,” said Sheriff Ken Christesen, in the release. “Our thoughts and prayers go out to (Cristian’s) family.”

Cristian was the youngest player in the Professional Disc Golf Association, his mother said.

“He tried to make people laugh,” she said, “and was always singing and dancing. His older brother was his best friend.”

shane@durangoherald.com



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