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An Oklahoma State University student died while hunting for ducks after his waders filled up with water and dragged him to the bottom of the lake.

OSU mourns loss 24-year-old graduate student Jackson Williams who studied in the Department of Plant and Soil Sciences.

Williams, originally from Arkansas, was duck hunting in Sooner Lake - which is in the small town of Red Rock, 30 miles away from where Oklahoma State University is located in Stillwater. 

Game wardens said the 24-year-old went to retrieve a duck when he hit an unexpected drop off - causing his waders to fill with water, KOCO News reported. 

The weight of water in his hunting waders dragged him underwater - prompting the friend he was with to call emergency services.  

OSU mourns loss 24-year-old graduate student Jackson Williams who studied in the Department of Plant and Soil Sciences

Williams was duck hunting in Sooner Lake - which is in the small town of Red Rock, 30 miles away from where Oklahoma State University is located in Stillwater

Game wardens said the 24-year-old went to retrieve a duck when he hit an unexpected drop off - causing his waders to fill with water

Williams's friends and family are heartbroken by his sudden death - and the OSU community has been rocked by the tragic accident

Several agencies responded to reports of the drowning and side imaging conducted by the Oklahoma Highway Patrol's Lake Patrol eventually found his body on lake floor. 

Williams' friends and family are heartbroken by his sudden death - and the OSU community has been rocked by the tragic accident.

His mother, Karen Turner Williams, said her son was 'in heaven duck hunting with Jesus' and said the world won't be the same without him.

In a statement, OSU said, 'Our hearts go out to Jackson's parents and family, friends, co-workers, the 4-H'ers and producers he advised and his former OSU Rodeo team members.'

'Our hearts go out to the family and the friends and loved ones of this young man. We want to make sure everyone knows that our hearts and prayers are with them.'

Game wardens explained how the tragic accident happened - saying that waders are hard to get off when on dry land - 'in a panic, in cold water, it can be really tough,' said Capt. Ben Bickerstaff with the Oklahoma Game Wardens.

 'Our thoughts and prayers go out to this young man's friends and family,' game wardens said. 'The hunting community is small and close knit, he will be missed.' 

Williams also served as the OSU Extension Agriculture and 4H Educator for youths in Logan County.

His mother Karen Turner Williams said her son was 'in heaven duck hunting with Jesus' and said the world won't be the same without him 

Williams, originally from Arkansas, also served as the OSU Extension Agriculture and 4H Educator for youths in Logan County

The Logan County Cooperative Extension Service said: 'We are deeply saddened by the passing of Jackson Williams, who served as our OSU Extension Agriculture and 4-H Educator in Logan County.

'Jackson was passionate about helping and educating others. Even in his short time serving Logan County, he was well-known and liked by all who had the opportunity to meet him. 

'He loved working with the teens in Logan County and knew how to encourage them to do their best. 

'He also enjoyed working with producers in the county to help them find solutions to their problems. 

'And he did it all with a smile on his face. He was a great co-worker and will be missed by all.'

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