Search for Missing Man at Don Pedro Lake Continues, Public Cautioned on Water Safety
Photo: Image of Search and Rescue team | Tuolumne County Sheriff’s Office
rescue boat at Don Pedro Lake| Tuolumne County Sheriff’s Office
A search operation is currently underway at Don Pedro Lake near South Bay and Rogers Creek, following the report of a missing man last seen swimming in the water on Friday, June 16th, at approximately 12:30 PM. The Tuolumne County Sheriff’s Office (TCSO) deputies, alongside boat patrol deputies from the Calaveras County Sheriff’s Office, immediately initiated search efforts utilizing advanced technology, including Remotely Operated Vehicles (ROVs) and drones.
The area where the man was last seen swimming is characterized by deep water depths reaching approximately 250 feet or more, necessitating the involvement of agencies equipped with specialized equipment. TCSO sought assistance from the Sacramento County Sheriff’s Office, the Alameda County Sheriff’s Office, and their respective boat patrol deputies. Throughout the weekend and into Monday, these agencies collaborated, utilizing a ROV from the Sacramento County Sheriff’s Office, a tow fish (deep dive sonar device) and ROV from the Alameda County Sheriff’s Office, and a Human Remains Detection (HRD) K9 from the Sacramento County Sheriff’s Office Search and Rescue (SAR) unit in their search efforts.
As of today, June 20, 2023, the missing man has yet to be located, and search operations are ongoing. The dedicated teams remain committed to their search and rescue mission, employing specialized equipment and expertise to cover the vast area.
In light of this incident, authorities would like to remind the public to exercise extreme caution around waterways in Tuolumne County this year. It is essential to prioritize safety when boating, ensuring that appropriate safety equipment, including a type IV throwable device, is on board. This device is designed to be thrown to a person in the water in case of an emergency. Additionally, individuals swimming in the water should consider wearing a Personal Floatation Device (PFD), commonly known as a life vest, as an added layer of protection. While it is not mandatory for adults to wear a PFD while swimming, it significantly enhances water safety. Furthermore, it is advisable for individuals, even if they are not operating the boat, to undergo a boater safety course before heading out on the water. The California Division of Boating and Waterways website (http://dbw.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=28734) provides comprehensive information on boater safety.
As the search continues, authorities urge anyone with information related to the incident to come forward and assist in the efforts to locate the missing individual.
