UPDATED: June 19, 2012, 10:05 p.m.

A former Syracuse University student and Olympic luge hopeful died Sunday after drowning in a lake in Windsor, Colo. He had been trying to retrieve an inflatable raft that floated away, said Windsor Police Chief John Michaels.

Joshua Sajous, 22, was a student in the College of Visual and Performing Arts during the Spring 2011 and Fall 2011 semesters, said Thomas Wolfe, senior vice president and dean of student affairs at SU.

“It’s very sad news,” he said.

Wolfe said the university will be reaching out to the SU community and anyone who may have known him.

Sajous recently transferred from SU to northern Colorado to train as a helicopter pilot, according to The Greeley (Colo.) Tribune. He also previously attended Morrisville State College, where he studied design and architectural studies.

The Weld County coroner ruled his death as an accidental drowning, Michaels said. Officials believe Sajous became tired while swimming toward the raft.

Sajous was in a lake behind his house on the larger floatation device with his brother, niece and nephew. He dove off the larger raft at 1:51 p.m. to retrieve the one that had drifted off, swimming about 100 yards out, Michaels said.

Dive crews from the Loveland and Greeley fire departments worked to retrieve his body after searching for three hours, Michaels said. Five drivers from the Greeley dive team spent another hour searching for the body in the dark water and found Sajous at 5:45 p.m.

Sajous was pronounced dead at 6 p.m., Michaels said.

Sajous’ older brother, David Jones, told The Tribune that Sajous trained to compete in luge at the 2010 Winter Olympics. He wanted to be the first African-American to win the gold medal in luge, Jones said.

Jones said his brother was also a certified lifeguard, a born-again Christian and a coach for the Fort Collins Soccer League.

Published on June 18, 2012 at 12:00 am

Contact Marwa: meltagou@syr.edu | @marwaeltagouri