Search underway for man who jumped into North Fork American River in Placer County
Sheriff’s deputies and fire personnel began searching Sunday afternoon and evening for a man who fell into the North Fork American River in Placer County but had not located him as of Monday, authorities said.
The man was recreating around 4:30 p.m. near Yankee Jims Bridge between Foresthill and Colfax, Placer County Sheriff’s Office spokeswoman Angela Musallam said in an emailed response, when he jumped into the water and was swept away.
Deputies, Cal Fire and California State Parks personnel responded to the scene Sunday, Musallam said, and searched using ground, water and air resources.
The victim had not been located as of Monday afternoon, Musallam said.
Authorities as of Monday were involved in a “limited but continuous search,” she said.
Emergency officials, including the Placer County Sheriff’s Office, continue to warn Californians that even as outside temperatures warm to summer-like highs, waterways continue to run very cold and fast during this time of year. They often do not warm to safe levels for recreation until around late July or early August.
Area waterways are still running cold & fast due to snow melt. It only takes a few minutes to lose muscle control with water temperatures this cold.
With warm air temperatures expected again this week, beware of cold, fast-running water! #CAwx pic.twitter.com/UNzzU1VbaW— NWS Sacramento (@NWSSacramento) May 15, 2023
DEADLY RIVER CONDITIONS
On Friday, we put out a public safety announcement warning the public to stay out of #PlacerCounty rivers. We explained why river water is deadly this year, but still, people chose to go in this weekend. Details: https://t.co/uL955bzZ8N pic.twitter.com/ZhW0ubYLZv— Placer Sheriff (@PlacerSheriff) April 30, 2023