A 24-year-old man drowned Monday after being swept away by the current in the San Joaquin River.
The incident occurred when 24-year-old James Romero Soriano was at the river with a small group of friends around 5:30 p.m.
Soriano entered the water despite not knowing how to swim.
The river’s current quickly carried him away, and he went underwater.
Friends called 911 and searched for him, found him after about 15 minutes, and pulled him to shore.
Deputies, Cal Fire firefighters, and EMS personnel arrived and began CPR.
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A SkyLife helicopter landed and flew Soriano to Community Regional Medical Center, where he later died.
The Fresno County Sheriff’s Office wants to remind the public of river safety.
Wear a U.S. Coast Guard-approved life jacket. Make sure it is secure and fits the person properly.Stay out of the water if you are not an experienced swimmer.Parents should watch their children at all times.Do not mix alcohol and swimming. Alcohol causes swimmers to fatigue faster than normal and can create dangerous situations.Understand that when it’s hot outside you will get tired faster than usual.Respect the water. The temperature of the water remains cold and the current is often stronger than it appears. There can be debris in the water, which is difficult to see and may cause hazardous situations for swimmers.Be careful of the mud on the bottom of lakes and rivers, it’s easy to sink in some spots and get your feet stuck. Also, use your feet to feel for drop off spots. River and lake bottoms can dramatically change from shallow to deep in a short distance.