PHELAN, Calif. (VVNG.com) — Emergency crews responded Monday afternoon to the California Aqueduct near Johnson Road in the community of Phelan after a body was reported in the water.
San Bernardino County Fire personnel were dispatched to the area at about 2:50 p.m. on March 16, 2026, for a swift water rescue.
According to radio traffic, firefighters located a deceased person submerged near the gates in the aqueduct.
Radio traffic also indicated the water flow in the aqueduct was stopped to allow crews to safely conduct the operation.
The body had not yet been recovered as of Monday afternoon, and crews requested the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department dive team to assist with the recovery.
The discovery comes after a previous search & rescue operation reported last week. On Wednesday, March 11, 2026, emergency personnel responded to the area of 213th Street East and the California Aqueduct after a caller reported his friend had fallen into the water and was drowning.
The caller told authorities the victim was being carried downstream in the fast-moving current. The person was not located during that response.
According to radio traffic, the body discovered Monday in the aqueduct may be related to that incident.
The location where the body was found near Johnson Road in Phelan is about 16 miles downstream from the town of Llano, where last week’s drowning was reported.
San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department spokeswoman Gloria Orejel told VVNG the sheriff’s dive team was requested to respond to the aqueduct near Johnson Road in Phelan for a body in the water.
The recovery effort remained ongoing as of the time of this report. This is a developing story, and additional information will be updated as it becomes available.
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