Woman found after drifting miles down Stanislaus River on inflatable pool float
A woman reported missing in the Stanislaus River near Jacob Myers Park in Riverbank was found safe several miles downstream on Tuesday evening, according to fire officials.
Fire crews were dispatched to the park around 5:18 p.m. after friends reported they had lost sight of the woman, who had been on the river using a “pool float,” according to Capt. Jon McManus of the Stanislaus Consolidated Fire Protection District. She was not wearing a life jacket.
Her friends told firefighters she had last been seen nearly two hours earlier and that they had attempted to locate her before calling 911.
Two water rescue boats and a battalion chief responded to the scene. While crews searched upriver and downriver from Jacob Myers Park, San Joaquin County emergency responders at McHenry Recreation Area — located several miles downstream on River Road in Escalon — reported they had found the woman.
“She had self-extricated from the water and was uninjured,” McManus said. “She just continued to float for a few miles.”
The incident prompted a reminder from fire officials for residents to take river safety seriously. McManus said the department is working to promote awareness of free life jackets available to borrow at fire stations throughout Stanislaus County.
“Although the water on the top might look calm and somewhat inviting, the water underneath could be moving extremely fast,” McManus said. “We encourage people to be aware of where they’re at, walk into the water slowly, and always wear a PFD (personal flotation device).”
McManus also warned against alcohol consumption while swimming or floating and said it’s important to always have a designated “lookout” onshore who can call 911 if needed.
Fire officials said they plan to release updated information this week on where residents can borrow life jackets free of charge.
