Death at Modesto Reservoir adds to already record year for drownings in Stanislaus County

A drowning late Saturday morning at Modesto Reservoir was the 10th in Stanislaus County this year, the Sheriff’s Office reported on social media, also issuing a reminder that life jackets save lives.

The drowning added to a record year, the Sheriff’s Office said. Previously, the highest number in a year was eight, it said, adding, “With three and a half months remaining in the year, we are deeply concerned about this alarming trend.”

Shortly after 11 a.m. Saturday, deputies responded to a report of a possible drowning near San Jose Island at Modesto Reservoir.

At about 11:30 a.m., deputies found the victim — a Long Beach man, age 49 — in the water and unresponsive. They dove in and got the man to shore, where medical personnel began lifesaving measures. The man was pronounced dead at noon.

“This unprecedented number of drownings is a stark reminder of the critical importance of water safety,” the Sheriff’s Office post reads. “We urge all residents and visitors to exercise extreme caution around all bodies of water.”

The post shares some basic water safety tips:

• Wear a proper fitting life jacket as provided for free by County Parks & Recreation, regardless of your swimming abilities.
• Know your limitations when entering any body of water, and if you are not a strong swimmer, remain in areas where you can stand with your head above water.
• Moderate your alcohol intake.
• Always swim with someone who can provide or reach out to others for help.
• If you see someone struggling to swim, call 911 immediately.

Several fire stations throughout the county loan life jackets free of charge. Here is a link to a list of those stations: www.modestogov.com/3112/Life-Jacket-Loaner-Program.

This story was originally published September 15, 2024 at 10:29 AM.