17-year-old drowns in MID canal in Waterford

By Kevin Valine - kvaline@modbee.com

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WATERFORD — A 17-year-old boy drowned Friday afternoon while swimming in the Modesto Irrigation District main canal, the Sheriff's Office reported.

Authorities received a 911 call at 1:39 p.m. reporting that the teen had dived into the canal and did not resurface, said Lt. Darin Gharat. He said emergency workers were on scene within three minutes.

A deputy and other emergency personnel spotted the teen's body about an hour later and more than a mile from where the boy had disappeared. Firefighters recovered the body.

Gharat said the teenager was swimming with another male, possibly a family member. He did not know how long they had been in the water.

The victim's name was not released pending notification of his family. His city of residence was not available Friday evening.

The teen dove into the canal near Reinway Avenue and just north of Pecan Avenue. Gharat said the teen's body was spotted about one-eighth-mile west of North Blossom Road. He was pronounced dead at the scene.

"It appears they were trying to beat the heat and cool off and unfortunately they did not realize how dangerous swimming in the canals can be," Gharat said.

Bee staff writer Kevin Valine can be reached at kvaline@modbee.com or 578-2316.

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