Authorities say a double amputee Army veteran from Washington has died while paddle boarding on the Chesapeake Bay.
Maryland Natural Resources Police say 25-year-old Cody Iorns died Wednesday evening after going out on the water near Annapolis.
Spokeswoman Candy Thomson tells the Capital Gazette Iorns was a double amputee and Army veteran well-known in the paddle boarding community.
He had been profiled by media outlets including National Geographic, which reported he lost his arms in a motorcycle accident, and used prosthetic limbs while on the water.
Army veteran Cody Iorns, 25, died Wednesday evening while paddle boarding
The 25-year-old double amputee veteran unexpectedly drowned after going out on the water near Annapolis
Iorns was paddle boarding with three other people when one of them saw him face-down in the water
Thomson says Iorns was paddle boarding with three other people when one of them saw him face-down in the water.
They attempted a rescue, but Iorns was pronounced dead at a hospital.
The paddle boarding center, Capital SUP Annapolis, released a statement Thursday about the tragedy to Facebook.
‘To our Family, Friends, and fellow Paddlers,
‘It is with incredible shock and deep sadness that we inform you Cody Iorns passed away this evening. He went out for a downwind paddle with fellow Capital SUP paddlers and unexpectedly drowned.
He was well-known in the paddle boarding community and used prosthetic limbs while on the water
The Army veteran from Washington was paddle boarding on the Chesapeake Bay at the time
‘CPR was performed by the paddlers and emergency medical responders but we were unable to save his life. We are still processing how it happened. Please pray for Cody’s family.
‘We are at a loss for words. He was our brother. He was an inspiration to everyone on and off the water,’ the statement said in part.
‘We wanted you to hear the news from us first. Please respect our privacy and give us some time to mourn the loss of our brother.
‘We love you, Cody. May you rest in peace. – Brian, Kevin, & Chris’
Police in Maryland released social media statements on the tragedy Wednesday and Thursday