Man dies while attempting to save drowning swimmer in Stanislaus River near Salida
A man died while trying to save a struggling swimmer in the Stanislaus River near Salida on Tuesday night, according to the Stanislaus County Sheriff’s Office.
The man was at the river with friends and family members when they noticed one of the members of their party struggling to swim.
Marcos Garcia, 26, was the first person to attempt a rescue. Several others then jumped in to help. Two members of the party were able to get everyone out of the water — except for Garcia, said Sgt. Veronica Esquivez of the Sheriff’s Office.
A Sheriff’s Office air unit found Garcia downriver about a half-hour later, at 8:18 p.m. A deputy on shore jumped into the river and pulled him from it, according to Esquivez.
He already “looked unresponsive,” according to Esquivez. However, the Modesto Fire Department attempted life-saving measures to no avail. Garcia was pronounced dead at the scene.
Garcia was not wearing a life jacket at the time of his death, said Esquivez. Garcia’s place of residence could not be confirmed by the Stanislaus County Sheriff’s Office.
This story was originally published August 7, 2024 at 9:01 AM.
