Las Vegas Sun

March 29, 2024

Man who died in water in Bellagio fountain pool identified

Bellagio Reopens

Wade Vandervort

The Bellagio fountain erupts during a reopening event, Thursday, June 4, 2020. Casinos in Nevada were allowed to reopen on Thursday for the first time after temporary closures as a precaution against the coronavirus.

Authorities have identified a 52-year-old man who police said apparently drowned while swimming in the fountain pool in front of the Bellagio resort on the Las Vegas Strip.

The Clark County coroner's office said Monday that David C. Swift did not have a known address.

His cause and manner of death was not immediately determined pending the return of toxicology tests in several weeks.

Police said Swift apparently drowned Friday morning. He was described as a transient from the local area, perhaps homeless, who had been talking to tourists before entering the water.

A bystander also jumped into the water after Swift began struggling, but returned to safety when he realized he couldn't rescue him, police said.

Divers later recovered Swift's body.

Swimming in the Bellagio fountain is not permitted. Officials say the pool averages about 8 feet (2.5 meters) deep and reaches a depth of about 13 feet (4 meters) near the centerpiece water sprays.