TUOLUMNE COUNTY, Calif. — Saturday 1:54 p.m. update:
The initial reports that three people drowned were inaccurate due to communication issues, according to Tuolomne County Sheriff's Deputy Nicco Sandelin. He also told ABC10 two men drowned, and both had been recovered.
As of Saturday afternoon, the Search and Rescue Dive Team located both men who drowned after hours of searching, and both men were declared dead.
Sandelin said, for now, the information suggests it was an accidental drowning. He said it is common for people to drown in the Tuolumne County waterways during the spring and early summer months after the snow has melted. There is more water in the waterways than usual and it is colder. Swimmers also need to watch for the strong underwater currents.
"Even the most experienced swimmers can get caught off guard in those situations," Sandelin said.
Friday 10:15 p.m. update:
The search for a third person who may have drowned in Tuolumne County has been suspected for the night due to visibility issues.
The Tuolumne County Sheriff's Office Search and Rescue and Dive Team will resume searching the area again Saturday.
Friday 6:30 p.m. update:
According to Tuolumne County Sheriff, a second victim has been pulled from the water after a woman's body was found at God's Bath swimming hole in the Tuolumne River Canyon.
The sheriff's office did not release any information about the victim. Crews are still looking for the third person they believe may have also drowned.
Original Story:
Tuolumne County Sheriff's Department is investigating three drownings at Gods Bath swimming hole in the Tuolumne River Canyon, according to a Facebook post on Friday.
An unidentified woman was found in the water and was pronounced dead by first responders at the swimming hole.
The Tuolumne County Sheriff's Department said they believe two other people also drowned, but crews could not locate them.
The Tuolumne County search and rescue team works to do a swift water rescue along with the Tuolumne County dive team and a CHP Helicopter.
This is a developing story; ABC10 will report more information when it becomes available.
