21-year-old Durham man drowns in Jordan Lake after canoe capsizes

A 21-year-old Durham man died on Sunday afternoon after his canoe capsized at Jordan Lake in Chatham County.

Just before 4 p.m., the Chatham County dispatch reached out to the NC Wildlife Resource Commission in reference to an overturned canoe at the Parkers Creek Campground.

Three people went out into the waters when the canoe capsized; two of whom returned to the surface, however, a man identified as Oscar Gilles Yayo, 21, did not. The victim had earlier been at picnic shelter with family and friends who saw him go under and not resurface. The man was not wearing a life vest and was trying to flip the canoe back over while he was in the water.

The incident was reported at a beach recreation area near Parkers Creek Picnic Shelters, which is along Parkers Creek Beach Road. The victim had earlier been at picnic shelter with family and friends who saw him go under and not resurface. The water in the area was difficult to reach with larger boats, so area fire crews brought in smaller rafts to conduct the search.

Crews searched for about two hours before finding the victim around 6:20 p.m.