Sioux Falls man passes after July 4 emergency on West Lake Okoboji

Condition of victim in separate near drowning unknown

A man involved in what authorities called near drowning on Independence Day in the area of Millers Bay has died, according to obituary information.

Randy Vilayphone, age 21, of Sioux Falls South Dakota, passed away Saturday, July 8, according to information posted by George Boom Funeral Home in Sioux Falls.

Multiple agencies were dispatched to the area of Millers Bay on West Lake Okoboji around 4:11 p.m. Tuesday July 4 for a report of a male patient who was drowning.  Authorities said Vilayphone could be seen under the water, and bystanders made multiple attempts to rescue him but were unsuccessful. Divers from Arnolds Park/Okoboji Fire and Rescue arrived on the scene via the Lakes Area Fire Boat and immediately deployed two divers who recovered the victim and brought him to the surface, where EMS providers on the fire boat immediately began resuscitation efforts while transporting him to the shore. They were met by Milford Rescue and Lakes Regional Healthcare personnel who continued the resuscitation efforts. Vilayphone was transported to Lakes Regional Healthcare and later sent to a Sioux Falls hospital.

Authorities said Vilayphone was on a vessel, but the Iowa Department of Natural Resources and the Dickinson County Sheriff's Office were still investigating how he ended up in the water as of a July 5 press release. Officials said lake temperatures at the time of the incident were 74 degrees, and the water was approximately 13 feet deep where Vilayphone was recovered.

On online fundraising page was established for Vilayphone following last week's accident. The page indicated Vilayphone was experiencing organ failure, and the fundraising account had received more than $4,000 as of Tuesday, July 11.

Obituary information described the 21-year-old as a natural leader who "fearlessly embraced challenged, approaching each one with determination and an unwavering spirit." The obituary went on to describe his strong work ethic who made a positive impact on those around him.

Assisting at the scene in Millers Bay were The Dickinson County Sheriff’s Office and communication center, Arnolds Park/Okoboji Fire and Rescue and Dive Team, Milford Fire and Rescue, Lakes Regional Healthcare Ambulance, Iowa DNR Lake Patrol, Dickinson County Emergency Management and the Iowa State Patrol.

Second July 4 rescue

Multiple agencies were again dispatched around 7:31 p.m. that same night to the Arnolds Park City Beach near Preservation Plaza, this time for a male reported to be drowning face-down in the water. Authorities said 22-year-old Atem Kiir of Sioux Falls had been rescued by bystanders and brought to the beach, where bystanders started CPR. Arnolds Park Police Officers were first to arrive on scene and continued resuscitation efforts, including application of an automated external defibrillator. Arnolds Park/Okoboji EMS providers arrived shortly after and continued resuscitative efforts on the victim until he could be transferred to the care of LRH paramedics. Resuscitation efforts continued throughout transport and Kiir was later transferred by ambulance from Lakes Regional Healthcare to Avera McKennan in Sioux Falls.

Kiir was attempting to swim out to a buoy off of City Beach when he began to struggle in the water, according to authorities. A bystander swimming near him recognized he was in trouble and started to swim with him back toward shore but also became fatigued during the rescue attempt. Officials said that’s when another bystander entered the water from the beach and was able to bring Kiir all the way to the beach and begin efforts to resuscitate him.

Authorities said his condition was unknown as of last week's statement, and the local sheriff's office had not received additional word on Kiir's condition as of Tuesday this week.

Assisting at the City Beach scene were Arnolds Park/Okoboji Fire and Rescue and Dive Team, Lakes Regional Healthcare Ambulance, Arnolds Park Police Department, Iowa DNR Lake Patrol and Dickinson County Sheriff’s Office.