Recovery Efforts Continue At Cunningham Lake

Recovery operations at Lake Cunningham came to a halt Monday afternoon. Crews have been searching for a man that went missing in the lake on Sunday. 

Due to weather conditions, the search has been suspended until Tuesday.

Family members confirmed the identity of the missing man as 42 year old Benjamin Pike. 

Authorities called off the rescue effort Sunday night. The search has now turned into a recovery operation, with officials saying they will not find Pike alive.  

Pike's mother, Angel, says Benjamin was fishing with his son, when he jumped out of the boat to cool off. "Collin says that his dad jumped in, the water, and he said there was a big wave and he said the boat started drifting and his dad's hand disappeared."

Pike's son, Collin, was able to throw the boat's anchor in the water and flag down other boaters, who took him safely to shore. 

Angel has unfortunately felt the agony of losing a child before. "I had two boys Mike and Ben. I lost Mike four years ago in August and now Ben and he's my lifeline. It's been horrible and I just don't want to believe it."

The Omaha Fire Department, Douglas County Sheriff's Office, Game and Parks, and a private dive recovery boat have all helped in the search for Pike. 

Cunningham Lake Park and all roads to the park will remain closed until Omaha Fire gives the okay to reopen.


Sponsored Content

Sponsored Content