Two teenage boys believed drowned at Woodward Reservoir

Stanislaus County Sheriff’s Department teams are searching for the bodies of two 15-year-old boys who went into the water at Woodward Reservoir shortly before noon Saturday.

Sgt. Anthony Bejaran, spokesman for the Sheriff’s Department, said a call came in at 11:45 a.m. for a possible drowning involving the two teenage boys, who had jumped into the water off a boat and not emerged. They jumped in with several members of their party, and do not appear to have been wearing life vests at the time. The two teens from Oakland were among a large group of family and friends celebrating Memorial Day weekend in Area R at the reservoir.

Dive teams and air units assisted in the rescue effort. On Saturday evening, boats with sonar were in the water searching for their bodies.

This is the second drowning incident at the reservoir since it opened for water recreation April 9. An 18-year-old Stockton man drowned April 17 after going into the then 60-degree water and not emerging.

Memorial Day Weekend is considered the kickoff of the summer watersport season at area reservoirs. The Sheriff’s Department posted warnings on Facebook and Twitter on Saturday morning urging people to wear life vests and follow water-safety procedures.

Woodward Reservoir opened its ongoing Life Jacket Loaner Station this weekend as well. The program allows visitors to borrow life jackets – in sizes infant to 6X – for free to use on the shore or in boats.

This story was originally published May 28, 2016 at 4:21 PM with the headline "Two teenage boys believed drowned at Woodward Reservoir."