Officials investigating possible drowning in Oologah Lake

OOLOGAH LAKE, Okla. - Authorities are searching for the body of a man who is thought to have drowned in Oologah Lake Thursday.

Oklahoma Highway Patrol officials confirmed the drowning of Inola native Jeremy Brewer Thursday night.

According to the OHP report, three men -- Ottie Brewer, 56, Damon Brewer, 30, and Jeremy Brewer, 35, were fishing when high winds and large waves caused their boat to take on water and begin to sink.

Ottie Brewer and son, Damon, managed to grab life jackets. The pair tried to get one to Jeremy Brewer -- Ottie's nephew -- but were unsuccessful, according to the report.

Officials say he was wearing coveralls, which quickly fill with water.

Ottie and Damon Brewer made it to shore, and were transported by life flight and ambulance to local hospitals in critical and serious conditions. Family said they have injuries to their backs, necks, and legs. Damon Brewer has since been released, OHP said.

Jeremy, however, never made it to shore.

Family members arrived at the scene as the search continued. According to family, Jeremy was "10-feet-tall and bulletproof."

"I taught him everything he knew about this lake," Jeremy's father said. "This shouldn't have happened."

Officials say the search has now become a recovery effort to find Jeremy Brewer's body. OHP halted search efforts at 6 p.m. Thursday, and plan to resume first thing Friday morning.