Toddler among those rescued during busy Memorial Day weekend on Stanislaus River
Emergency crews responded to several water rescue incidents across Stanislaus County over the Memorial Day weekend, including rescues involving stranded teenagers, paddleboarders and a family whose raft flipped with a toddler aboard in the Stanislaus River, according to fire officials.
Despite the busy stretch of calls, authorities reported no drownings or major injuries.
Battalion Chief Jim Black of the Modesto Fire Department said many of the rescues appeared tied to people underestimating the strength and speed of river currents.
“People need to check what the flows of the river are because every time we rescued someone, they were surprised at how fast it was flowing,” Black said.
He said river flows were around 1,600 cubic feet per second during some of the rescues, creating dangerous currents even in areas where the water appeared calm.
“It’s like a raging river, basically,” Black said. “Even if it’s smooth, the current is really strong.”
One of the most serious incidents happened Monday afternoon near Liberini Avenue in Oakdale, where a family of five was thrown into the river when their raft flipped.
Black said the group included a grandmother holding a 3-year-old toddler. The toddler swallowed some water, while two teenage boys were swept farther downstream.
Crews with Boat 28 out of Oakdale rescued the teenagers and later brought the grandmother and toddler back across the river to waiting medical personnel. The toddler was transported to a hospital for evaluation.
Additional rescues Monday included two 16-year-old boys who became stranded after their raft struck a tree near Hollenbeck Court in Oakdale. Black said the teenagers were tossed into underbrush along the far side of the river after the raft became caught in debris.
Another water rescue was reported Monday near the area of Carver Road in Del Rio.
Crews also responded Sunday afternoon near River Road in Oakdale after two paddleboarders became stranded along the Stanislaus River after falling into the water, according to emergency incident summaries.
Authorities said the two individuals were found clinging to brush along the riverbank. Rescue crews later brought them back to a nearby boat launch. One patient was evaluated at the scene and declined transport to a hospital.
Saturday rescues
Saturday also brought several water rescue incidents across the region.
Around 4:30 p.m., crews responded near Jacob Meyers Park in Riverbank after five people floated downstream and became stranded along the Stanislaus River. Rescue boats were used to bring all five to safety, according to emergency summaries.
Earlier Saturday, emergency crews rescued one person near Frymire Road in Oakdale after reports of a stranded subject in the river.
Another Saturday incident near Rodden and Orange Blossom roads near Oakdale that involved three stranded individuals who were rescued with assistance from sheriff’s deputies and the Stanislaus County Sheriff’s Office Air 101 helicopter.
Authorities also responded Saturday to a reported drowning call involving a child. According to incident summaries, the child was breathing when crews arrived and was transported to a hospital.
Black said one encouraging aspect of the weekend was the lack of incidents despite large crowds at local waterways, particularly at Woodward Reservoir.
“Woodward Reservoir was packed because it’s the first year the lake’s been opened to full boating in, like, two seasons,” Black said. “There were 15,000 to 20,000 people out there, supposedly.”
Black said the incidents serve as a reminder for residents to wear life jackets and remain cautious around fast-moving waterways heading into the summer recreation season.
He also urged residents to keep cell phones in waterproof cases while on the river so rescuers can more easily locate them during emergencies.
“Make sure they know what the river flows are. Make sure they have life jackets,” Black said. “Be aware the water’s cold, and you can get snagged on stuff.”
