(South Metro Fire Rescue)

AURORA — Searchers have recovered the body of a 26-year-old man who fell out of an inflatable kayak during a storm that passed over Cherry Creek Reservoir southeast of Denver.

Sentinel Colorado reports Christopher Carmon, of Aurora, fell into the water Sunday and was found dead several hours later. The water temperature was about 50 degrees Fahrenheit at the time, and Carmon was not wearing a life jacket.

Colorado Parks and Wildlife officials say a strong storm created gusty winds and choppy water that might have caused the kayak to capsize. Witnesses reported seeing Carmon “in obvious distress,” according to a news release from the agency.

Dive teams from local law enforcement agencies and a marine investigation crew from the state parks department spent several hours searching for Carmon in depths ranging from 9 to 16 feet.

The marine investigations team used an underwater drone armed with sonar, a camera and lights during the search.

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