The bodies of three adults who entered the water near Three Mile Slough Bridge in Rio Vista on Sunday to attempt to rescue a child were recovered on Tuesday, according to a California State Parks spokesperson.
Park rangers were originally notified of a possible triple fatal drowning at about 1:25 p.m. Sunday at the Brannan Island State Recreation Area.
It appears that a child was in distress and three people went to attempt to rescue the juvenile. The child was able to make it shore, according to the Rio Vista Fire Department, but three adults who went into the water were unaccounted for, authorities said.
“Bystanders entered the water to attempt a rescue, none wearing personal floatation devices,” said the California State Parks spokesperson.
The family and friends of the three men who perished, who hailed from Guatemala but lived in Oakland, have identified them as Edwin Rivas, Edwin Perez and Danilo Gutierrez, according to a GoFundMe campaign set up to help pay for funeral expenses and to repatriate them to their home country for burial.
The campaign had raised nearly $1,400 as of Wednesday afternoon.
State Parks worked with the U.S. Coast Guard, the Rio Vista Fire Department, and the Sacramento and Solano County sheriff’s departments on the recovery efforts, the Cal Parks spokesperson said.
The Rio Vista Fire Department said it employed a “unique watercraft” known as Boat 55 at its disposal to assist with the search.
“Far too many lives have been lost in our waterways and the lakes and rivers of Northern California over the past few weeks,” said Rio Vista Fire Chief Jeff Armstrong in a statement released by the department. “We urge residents and visitors to wear proper life vests when in the water and to consider life vests for children and young adults while on the shore. The currents of the Sacramento River and its tributaries are strong and unpredictable.”
Did someone watch this happening? This is horrible. How many times have people gone out to save dogs and the dogs get back but the owners don’t.
Who the hell is talking about a dog?
Relax, Tommy 🙄
Shouldn’t have brought up dogs but I remember all of the people who have drown saving a dog and the dog gets out of the water. You don’t often hear of a person drowning and the child survives.
I’m relaxed but sorry, as a dog owner, if I had to choose whom to rescue first, it would be a humans life. I just think that comment is a slap in the face to these grieving families.
You are missing the point and reading too much into it now.
RIP…thank you for your sacrifice for a child…
What a tragedy for all involved…
We happened to driving by and saw all the emergency vehicles and wondered what was going on.
Such a tragedy.
@tommy, my first reaction was exactly like yours about the comment made by Ricardo about saving a dog’s life. That being said, I’m sure Ricardo meant no disrespect to the 3 adults who lost their lives trying to save the child.
How tragic…..will pray for them and their families tonight for sure.
They earned their wings. God Bless them and their families.
All I have to say is you never ever want to fool with the rivers.
Life jackets, please, for both kids and adults in/near water, if you can’t swim.
Even if you can swim you should wear one near moving waterways. The earth is approximately 75% water. Everyone should be taught to swim at an early age. Throw in the currents of the Delta and even the most experienced swimmer can get into trouble real quick. The biggest mistake people make is to attempt to fight the conditions and tire out rather than to simply relax and float using your body as a rudder to take you to an edge.
Maybe swimming lessons in school instead of CRT. The fact that three guys went in and none of them was able to handle the river is just hard to understand. I wonder if alcohol played a role. On the other hand you can’t just stand there and watch a child drown. Very mixed emotions reading this story. I wish there was a story on exactly how this happened.
Wow, was wondering how someone would make this the libs fault. Well done sir.
Ricardoh just showed us that he doesn’t understand how waterways/currents/riptides/ANYthing works.
Drew-
Maybe they took a cue from watching libs make everything Trumps fault. Just saying.
Drew you can’t be serious.
Jessica Spent more time in and on rivers than most. Three men died but the child was saved. Something beside current is the problem.
@Drew
Suggesting swimming lessons in school IS NOT blaming libs.
@jessica
You just showed us that you don’t understand emotions/feelings/curiosities/ANYthing.
30 year paramedic here. Unless you are a trained rescuer, leave it to the professional. As hard as that may be. This is a classic example of that. If this is the Delta, I am relatively certain ETOH was on board of all those who went in and subsequently perished.
As of Thursday afternoon, fundme is up to $19,600+. .
This happens every year. That area is notorious for under currents. People should not be allowed to go by the water or there should be some form of patrol in place. I have lived in this area my entire life. EVERY year someone dies trying to save someone else. This is not a good area to swim.
Sad for the family. These guys died hero’s. May their souls Rest In Peace.