In this tragic story from today’s Bee it appears another person, swimming without a life jacket in the American River, may have drowned.
Here is an excerpt.
Boy, 14, feared victim of river
Rescue team unable to find the youth who was swimming at Discovery Park.
By Cameron Jahn -- Bee Staff Writer Published 12:01 am PDT Friday, May 19, 2006
It's feared the swift currents and cold waters of the American River claimed a second life this week when a 14-year-old boy who was swimming with friends Thursday went under near the Jibboom Street bridge and did not resurface.
Four West Sacramento boys rode their bikes to Discovery Park, leaving them under the bridge before heading to the water's edge to cool off.
One boy stayed on shore as the other three entered the water. A few minutes later, as two of the boys were swimming 30 to 50 feet from shore, one boy began to struggle and bob under the water, and the first boy was unable to help his friend stay afloat, said Deborah Stephens, who was floating on a raft nearby.
"When he went down, came up, and went down again we realized there was a problem there," said Stephens, visibly shaken. "Not even a minute later, one of the boys was yelling 'hey' to passing boats for help."
Marine rescue crews, aided by boaters, began the rescue effort for the boy about 6 p.m., but the search turned to a body recovery effort when the boy had not been located, said Battalion Chief Niko King, spokesman for the Sacramento Fire Department.
The search was called off at sundown; rescue crews plan to return this morning.
