Published: July 02, 2009 09:30 am      

Local boy not with FCA whe he drowned

A 16-year-old boy who drowned in a Cooperland raceway pond Friday was not associated with Fellowship of Christian Athletes, FCA North Central Oklahoma area representative John Talley said.

He said the boy, who was identified as Irving Fernando Zubiate of Chickasha, was at the raceway for a MotoCross race that FCA also attended.

Talley said FCA frequently attends events and hosts a short meeting following them for those interested.

FCA representatives helped contact the boy’s family because it is a ministry and was trying to help, which made some people believe the group was somehow involved.

Zubiate had been swimming with friends in the pond when his friends noticed he was missing, according to reports from the Oklahoma Highway Patrol.

When a bystander pulled the boy from the pond, he wasn’t breathing.

He was taken to Children’s Hospital in Oklahoma City, but died shortly before 2 a.m. Saturday.

Zubiate’s funeral was Tuesday afternoon in Chickasha.