A family was swimming in the San Joaquin River at Skaggs Bridge Park in Fresno County Friday evening, when a 47-year-old man started drowning.
The sheriff's department and Fresno Fire responded to the call just after 5 p.m. and pulled the man from the water but it was too late.
As temperatures rise here in the valley more and more people head out to local rivers to cool off. It's important to know the rules of safe water play.
"Assure that people getting in the water first and foremost know how to swim. Secondly, never swim alone. Thirdly alcohol is certainly a recipe for disaster when you're in and around water," Chief Rich Cabral from Fresno Fire said.
It does not look like alcohol was a factor in this case. Many regulars say they stay on the shallow side of the river.
"If you know you can't swim, stand where it's shallow, cool off and then get back out," Andrea Lizarraga said.
It's not known whether the man knew how to swim or if he got caught in a current. Rescuers hope this tragedy will remind others to take extra precautions this summer.
The sheriff's department and Fresno Fire responded to the call just after 5 p.m. and pulled the man from the water but it was too late.
As temperatures rise here in the valley more and more people head out to local rivers to cool off. It's important to know the rules of safe water play.
"Assure that people getting in the water first and foremost know how to swim. Secondly, never swim alone. Thirdly alcohol is certainly a recipe for disaster when you're in and around water," Chief Rich Cabral from Fresno Fire said.
It does not look like alcohol was a factor in this case. Many regulars say they stay on the shallow side of the river.
"If you know you can't swim, stand where it's shallow, cool off and then get back out," Andrea Lizarraga said.
It's not known whether the man knew how to swim or if he got caught in a current. Rescuers hope this tragedy will remind others to take extra precautions this summer.