A man in his 80s was found dead in the water at Bass Lake on Friday morning, authorities said.

The Madera County Sheriff’s Office said deputies responded around 9 a.m. to reports of a possible body in the water. The man was located about 15 feet from shore.

Witnesses told deputies the man had been in the process of launching a boat before he was found. His cause of death is under investigation.

The Sheriff’s Office reminded the public to always wear a life jacket, follow posted speed and safety zones, and avoid using drugs or alcohol while operating watercraft.

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