One saved by chance encounter during Stanislaus water rescues, authorities report
A series of water rescues near Knights Ferry on Sunday marked the beginning of the unfortunate trend that often can come with summer.
While on their way back from rescuing a kayaker in Knights Ferry just after noon, water rescue teams noticed someone floating in the Stanislaus River. The chance encounter may have saved the person’s life.
As rescue teams pulled the person out of the water and onto the shore, a dispatch from the county’s regional 911 center reporting that incident went out over the radio, according to a Modesto Fire Department incident summary report.
Medics and firefighters treated the person with Advanced Life Support Care. Within 15 minutes, the person began breathing on their own. An air ambulance was then called in to transport the patient.
The Stanislaus County Sheriff’s Office and a water rescue team decided to search for other people who might need help and found two other people. They reported no additional injuries.
About two hours after finding the person floating in the river, the same water rescue team, along with other units, were called to the Horseshoe Recreation Area near Orange Blossom.
The initial call reported that six people were clinging to a tree after their raft popped. When the team found the party, they discovered more people.
Rescuers pulled eight — three adults and five children, from the river. The children were rescued first and then the adults. No one was injured.
Water rescues and drownings increase as the heat turns up, with residents seeking refuge in the cold waters of local lakes and rivers. On Friday, the Modesto Fire Department reminded everyone that May is National Water Safety Month and provided the following safety tips that have the potential to save lives:
Whether you’re heading to a river, lake, or pool:
▪ Always wear a properly fitted life jacket
▪ Designate an adult as a “water watcher” — someone responsible for actively supervising swimmers
▪ Avoid alcohol use while swimming or operating watercraft
▪ Use proper vessels when navigating rivers and avoid homemade rafts or inflatables
“Remember: The water may appear calm, but dangerous undercurrents lie beneath the surface — especially in rivers like the Stanislaus and Tuolumne,” read the post.
Modesto Fire, Stanislaus Consolidated Fire, and Turlock Fire stations are stocked with free loaner life jackets for the public.
This story was originally published May 26, 2025 at 1:54 PM.
