Drowning in reservoir; rescue in Yuba

A man drowned at Camp Far West Reservoir on Saturday shortly after a woman was rescued from the Yuba River rapids, authorities said.

The 45-year-old man drowned near the cliffs on the Placer County side of the lake around 5:20 p.m., said Sgt. John Weaver of the Placer County Sheriff's Department. The victim's identity was not released pending notification of next of kin.

"We are not sure if he was jumping into the water or fell off the cliff," Weaver said. "He fell into the water and did not come back up."

Placer County divers recovered the man's body in about 25 feet of water around 7:15 p.m., Weaver said. They were not sure if alcohol was involved or who reported the drowning.

Yuba County sheriff's deputies and dive personnel also responded to the scene.

Two weeks ago, a boater drowned at Camp Far West.

Earlier Saturday, a 22-year-old woman was tubing down the Yuba River near Parks Bar Bridge when she lost her inner tube and ended up in the rapids at about 5 p.m., said Sgt. Wencel Kemp of the Yuba County Sheriff's Department.

The water was only 3 to 4 feet deep, but she was frightened and did not want to try to walk out, Kemp said. A California Highway Patrol helicopter lowered a harness and lifted her to safety.

Her name was not available. The warm weather and holiday weekend can often combine to create dangerous situations, Kemp said. More people are out enjoying the cool waters and do not necessarily take safety precautions.

"Use common sense," he said.

Wearing safety vests as floatation devices is the most important precaution, he said. Swimmers should never go in alone and should avoid areas with deep swimming holes and swift currents.

Alcohol and water play should never be mixed, Kemp added. And residents should remember that while the cold water can be refreshing, it can also cause hypothermia after prolonged exposure.

Contact Appeal-Democrat reporter Ashley Gebb at 749-4724 or agebb@appealdemocrat.com.