Newest articles on The Sacramento Press tagged as "drowning"

Sacramento Waterways Create an Uprecedented Hazard

2011-06-23T05:29:56Z

The number of people that have swarmed to the Sacramento waterways over the last week isn’t something unusual for this time of year. What’s making the trip different than years past is the hazards that are faced once they are arriving.

Because of the extremely late winter storms and the tremendous snow-melt, we are seeing flow levels that are unprecedented for this time of year. The water temperature is also extremely frigid, in the 50’s in several parts of the American River. Although the water appears to be inviting for the hundreds of people who have already made their way out there, most are saying the water temperatures are unexpectedly uncomfortable to stay in for any extended period of time.

On the evening of June 21, the Sacramento Fire Department was dispatched to a flowing water rescue. The report to the 911 dispatcher was that there were approximately a dozen people who fell off rafts after being hung up underneath the Howe Avenue Bridge. The fire department response totaled 4 suppression companies, 3 boats, 2 medic units, Sacramento DART, 2 helicopters, and support staff from several public safety agencies.

Additional information was given while companies were en-route that there was a person that was entangled underneath one of the rafts. This information only adds to the hurried state that rescuers are already in because any fire fighter knows that someone submerged only has about 4 minutes before permanent injuries set in and less than 10 minutes before death.

As the crews made their way down to the water approaching from all sides, boats began picking up members of the college aged group that were fortunate enough to have made their way to the shore. Fire fighters tried to obtain additional information from those on shore about the number of people in their party and if they were all accounted for.

This frantic scrambling of emergency equipment in and out of the water, and overhead by helicopters lasted approximately 20 minutes. The group had no idea of the total number in their group and if anyone was truly missing or not. They all fell off of their rafts together but swam in different directions and were making their way to several different locations downstream.

In total, the fire department boats gathered 22 people who were a part of the floating party that quickly became submerged. This group was shuttled back to one are by fire department boats and vehicles for a very emotional re-union back at the Howe Ave Park.

The account of this event is only one group out of several that were flowing down the river. It’s expected that several hundred more will be making their way down the American River in the next coming days and even larger numbers as we head into the weekend.

The message that fire departments have tried to send over the last several years hasn’t changed. The river can provide a great reprieve from the heat and it’s a great way to spend the day with friends outdoors. If you aren’t prepared for your trip, especially with the current conditions, your trip can turn deadly in seconds.
The Sacramento Fire Department gives these tips:
• Wear a life-jacket – people under 13 must wear a life-jacket, it’s the law
• Monitor your alcohol intake
• Remember that the water temperature is extremely cold and can be dangerous in minutes
• Even the strongest of swimmers cannot survive the force of the waters current

Child Drowns in Backyard Pool

2011-06-15T16:11:26Z

Citrus Heights, CA- June 12, 2011 at 6:18pm, Sacramento Metro firefighters responded to the 6000 block of Oak Creek Way to the report of a four-year old male child that had been pulled from a pool and was not breathing. At 6:21pm firefighter/ paramedics arrived on scene to the backyard of a residential home where they found two people performing CPR on the small child. 9-1-1 dispatchers had been able to give CPR instructions to an adult on scene. Firefighter/Paramedics immediately started advanced life support measures and transported the child to Mercy San Juan Hospital. The child did not survive.

With the change in weather conditions, more children are going to be in and around the water. Remember that there is no substitute for constant supervision. Have a plan in place for who will be watching the pool area and switch-off on regular intervals so you do not become complacent.

Body identified, SacFire helps family through process

2009-07-25T02:09:37Z

Sacramento- "After 9 o'clock this morning, we received a report from a guest at the Embassy Hotel that 'there's a body floating in the river'" said Capt. Jim Doucett, Public Information Officer for Sacramento City Fire.

Per Doucette, crews arrived and found a body in the water next to the docks on the south side of the Tower Bridge, behind the Embassy Suites Hotel in Old Sacramento.

The Coroner's office responded, and with the assistance of Sacromento Police and Sacramento Fire, removed the body from the water. Per Sgt. Norm Leong, PIO for the Sacramento Police Department, the Coroner's office has identified the body to be that of 18 year old George Ho.

The Elk Grove resident and recent graduate of Monterey Trails High School, was enjoying the water Sunday at Discovery Park, when a boat's wake took him under the water. Ho never surfaced.

Doucette advised that the Fire Department Chaplain and a gracious social worker are aid the family the this experience and process.

View origional article here

Body discovered on the American River in Discovery Park

2009-07-24T04:23:06Z

Sacramento, CA- While training on the American River Thursday, Sacramento City Firefighters, aboard Sac Fire Boat #5, discovered a body floating amongst the logs across from Tiscornia Beach, per Capt. Jim Doucette.

Doucette stated that they do not believe this is the body of George Ho who drowned just a few hundred feet downriver Sunday. Ho was wearing shorts at time he disappeared in the water; dark pants and footwear were on the body that was recovered today.

Per Doucette, "the Sacramento Police Department and the Sacramento County Coroners Office responded. Firefighters assisted with the retrieval of the body."

The case is currently under investigation.

Elk Grove man dies at Discovery Park

2009-07-20T08:34:07Z

18 year old George Ho went under the water and never surfaced at Tiscornia Beach in Discovery Park Sunday afternoon at the confluence.

Jim Doucette of the Sacramento Fire Department,stated "at 2:54 PM, we responded to the beach at Discovery Park for an 18 year old male that went under and never surfaced."

"Ho and his friends were swimming about 25 yards off shore. Some boats came by, created a wake, he went under and never came up" said Doucette.

This occurred right where the Sacramento River and American River meet, the area known as The Confluence. Doucette stated that it is very deep there with a lot of logs and rocks. He further stated that in the past an abandon car had been found there.

After about an hour of surface searching, the fire department pulled their swimmers out of the water and went into a recovery mode, per Doucette.

Doucette noted that even as the recovery of Ho was taking place, there were many children in the water without life vests. "It's kind of ironic; you see what just happened here and people are still in the water. The big deal is, they just don't think it could happen to them."

The young man was identified as George Ho of Elk Grove. Per Doucette, Ho had just graduated from Monterey Trails High School in Elk Grove.

Doucette spoke with Ho's friends who were at Discovery with him. They stated that Ho did know how to swim and Doucette believed that alcohol was not a factor in this incident.

With Ho's father, family and friends looking on, a few hours later, the dive team was still unable to locate him and called off the recovery efforts.

Capt Doucette states, "This is a sad reminder of just how dangerous our rivers and waterways are. The victim’s friends reported that he knew how to swim. These waters do not discriminate against anyone, whether they are good swimmers or not. These waters will 'kill' you."

The Sacramento Fire Department also received assistance from the Sacramento Police Department, Sacramento County Park Rangers, the California Highway Patrol, the Sacramento Sheriff’s Department, and the Yolo County Sheriffs Department.