NEVADA COUNTY – On July 13, 2019, a Citrus Heights man and his 12-year-old daughter struggled to stay above water in the South Yuba River between the old and new Highway 49 bridges. The man died trying to rescue his child.
State Park Ranger James Carey, with the help of a good Samaritan was able to rescue the girl, but, was unable to save the father who became caught up in the rapids, according to Supervising State Park Ranger Dustin Patterson.
“First and foremost, we are heartbroken for the family members who lost of a loved one to the cold and swift moving South Yuba River,” said California Statewide Law Enforcement Association (CSLEA) President Alan Barcelona. “Our thoughts are with them, as they must be in shock over this tragic event. I do want to commend the good Samaritan and our CSLEA member, Ranger James Carey for saving the life of the drowning victim’s daughter. Thank you to our CSLEA member Supervising State Park Ranger Dustin Patterson as well for reminding river goers of the extreme danger the water presents right now.”
Both Carey and Patterson are also members of the CSLEA affiliate, Resource Protection Peace Officers Association (RPPOA).
The Citrus Heights man who drowned on July 13th was the third person to drown in the South Yuba River this year. The first drown happened in February, the second in June.
