CASCO, Maine — The Maine Warden Service Dive Team on Monday recovered the body of a Portland man who drowned in Sebago Lake.
Ahmed Doale, 28, did not know how to swim, Maine Warden Service spokesperson Mark Latti said in a release Monday. His body was found around 9:15 a.m. in about eight feet of water about 10 feet from shore, Latti said.
Wardens also said Doale was not wearing a life jacket and they believe alcohol may have been a contributing factor.
Doale was on an 18-foot 1999 Regal motorboat with another person Sunday evening when the boat broke down and drifted towards shore near a deep area of Sebago Lake State Park at the mouth of the Songo River, Latti said.
"Doale got out of the boat to push it free from shore, near where there was a steep, deep drop very close to shore in this location, and as he was pushing the boat out, he stepped into deep water," Latti stated.
According to officials, Doale then submerged under the water and never resurfaced. Witnesses on shore heard yelling and called 911, Latti said.
Maine Game Wardens, Cumberland County Sheriff’s Office, state park staff, Casco Fire Rescue, Raymond Fire Rescue, Naples Fire Department, and Naples Marine Patrol responded and searched the area for Ahmed for several hours Sunday but were unable to locate him, Latti said.
The Maine Warden Service Dive Team searched for Doale on Monday with four divers and a boat.
For people who visited Sebago Lake State Park on Labor Day, just hours after Doale's body was recovered, it's a reminder to be alert as the summer comes to a close.
"When I think about a lake, I think it is a generally safer body of water than the ocean," Dean Russell said, who visited Sebago from Portland with his partner, Michelle Martin.
"I think it would be different if we had children, a lot more cautious," Martin added.
For people who live at Sebago Lake, like Jim Fickett, the news that Doale wasn't wearing a life jacket is frustrating.
"It's super frustrating knowing it's something that could have been avoided," Fickett said.
Fickett grew up on Sebago Lake and is the owner of Honey Badger Guide Service, a fishing charter, out of Raymond.
"It feels awful, even more awful because I was out there five minutes away. If anyone knows how to contact someone, we will come and get you... You don't leave someone alone."
Fickett said if you find yourself in a position like Doale did, to just wait patiently until you can get help. He said even if you are unsure, you should not take the risk.
"It's a lake but it is big water out here and you can get in trouble in a hurry," Fickett said.
Fickett said to call the warden service if you are in an emergency and if you need a tow on Sebago, you should call Tow Sebago, a company Fickett said opened this year that will tow people to shore.
Fickett also said the Facebook group "I Boat on Sebago Lake" is quick to respond and will respond to people who post on their requesting help if they are stranded.