Fisherman falls into California Aqueduct

NEWMAN -- A fisherman fell into the California Aqueduct on Wednesday afternoon, prompting a search that continued until sundown.

Sgt. Anthony Bejaran of the Stanislaus County Sheriff's Department said deputies responded to a call just before 4 p.m. of a man going into the canal just south of Orestimba Road. Witnesses said the 30-year-old man was fishing from the west bank of the aqueduct when he fell in.

The man, whose name and residence is not known, last was seen floating in the middle of the canal before he went under the water.

Units from the Sheriff's Department and California Highway Patrol searched for the man for several hours.

Bejaran said the department put up a helicopter to scan the canal, but the water was too dangerous to send in a water rescue or dive team.