CONCHAS -- A 25-year-old Albuquerque man died Sunday in Conchas Lake after cliff diving near Conchas Dam, New Mexico State Police said.

Julian Sanchez was diving with friends and did not come up from a dive about 4:30 p.m.,  said Sgt. Andy Tingwall, spokesman for the state police.

His friends searched for him and called police, Tingwall said.

Sanchez's body was found early Monday morning by a state police dive team, Tingwall said.

The Office of the Medical Investigator has been contacted and will determine the cause of death, Tingwall said.

In an unrelated event on Monday, a Conchas Dam rescue unit was called to assist a swimmer who was pulled out of the water by a friend about 12:30 p.m.

Fernando Sabato, 19, of Albuquerque said he swam out toward the middle of the lake and could not swim any more.

Sabato said his friends had to pull him from beneath the water.

"My friend Floyd Garcia came and got me on a jet ski," Sabato said.
 
Sabato was checked out by the EMS before he rejoined his friends.
 
The Conchas Lake State Park camping areas were at near capacity and the beach areas were crowded with vacationers over the three-day Memorial holiday, said Dan. R. Rand, park superintendent.

A visitor count is expected to be available today, Rand said.

The Conchas Lake area also has a U.S. Corps of Engineers park area, as well as a private camp and private home and cabin rentals that are used by
vacationers.

Conchas Lake is about 34 miles northwest of Tucumcari.