Cooper Creek looks surreal, even inviting.
But, this is one invitation you don't want to accept.

"Immediately it hurts and stings until your face goes numb,” says Taney County Deputy Coroner Louis Chapman.

Chapman would know, as one of the divers that searched for the 79 year-old man who drowned in Lake Taneycomo Saturday night.

"Immediately the cold water shunts blood from your arms and legs,” says Chapman.

Chapman's search was unsuccessful, the man wasn't found until Sunday morning.
The elderly man was trying to load his boat when his vehicle slid back into the water.

"He was afloat for a short period of time but was unable to make it to shallow water,” says Captain Gary Haupt with the Missouri State Water Patrol.

You can easily see just how dangerous this ramp can be when you mix a little bit of water and freezing temperatures, it's almost impossible to standup. And, the ramp only gets steeper closer to the water.

"Anytime it's over your head, its life threatening and it was only 10 to 15 feet deep,” says Haupt.

But, most likely, it wasn't the depth of the water that was deadly.
At 40 degrees, the water’s temperature causes a human body to shut down.

"Your swimming capabilities will be greatly diminished under circumstances,” says Haupt.
"I would give someone a minute in this water even half his age to make it out,” adds Chapman.

Which isn't much time to enjoy the beauty that sometimes is Lake Taneycomo.
Another man was in the car that slid into the water Saturday evening.
He made it to shore and was treated at Skaggs Hospital for minor exposure injuries.