NEVADA COUNTY, Calif. — Two people drowned along the Yuba River in Nevada County Thursday afternoon.
According to the Nevada County Consolidated Fire District, the first drowning was reported around 1:30 p.m. in the area of Highway 49 and the Yuba River, in the South Yuba River Recreation Area. Officials said the person went into the water, but didn't resurface.
"Upon arrival, the bystanders had pulled the person out of the water downstream from where he went in, and were beginning bystander CPR," said Josh Sunde, Battalion Chief for the fire district.
First responders found the body of a man and took over CPR, but he was ultimately pronounced dead. Sunde it said the drowning was an accident that happened after the man either slipped or jumped into the water.
Within an hour, fire officials responded to a separate water rescue for another possible drowning at the Bridgeport Recreation Area. That man was also pronounced dead on scene.
"The victim was noticed as a person floating down the river. Bystanders pulled that person to shore, began bystander CPR. Same kind of situation, the rescue arrived, they did medical intervention this person was pronounced deceased at the scene," Sunde said.
He said there are still dangers on the river as people flock to the areas during the current heat wave. Those include large boulders and rocks where people can lose their footing while accessing the area.
While rescues are familiar territory for fire crews, having two within the same hour is unexpected.
"it's surprising to have them back to back like that. Obviously, these tragic incidents, you don't want them to happen ever, but we're working with all of our partners and everything, we're able to mitigate them the best we can. Unfortunately, we had a end game that we didn't hope for," Sunde said.
Neither person was wearing a life jacket.
"These rivers are dangerous. The features in them and the flows of the water are fast and relentless. If you're going to go into the river, wear a life jacket," Sunde said.
He also suggested that people swim with a partner, and, if you're not familiar the area, he recommends going to a lake instead.
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