Cold, Swift Waters Blamed For Several Memorial Weekend Fatalities

By Bill Johnson Published May 31, 2005 07:15 am Updated Jan 31, 2009 02:23 pm

Undated — High and swift running rivers and streams are being blamed for several deaths over the Memorial weekend.

Officials in El Dorado County say a 12-year-old girl drowned in Rock Creek off of state route 193 north of Placerville yesterday. Her father also drowned after he jumped in to save her.

Meanwhile, authorities in Yuba County say a 41-year-old man and his two sons reportedly landed in the water after being swept over the Daguerre Point Dam 20 miles east of Marysville. Deputies say the two boys were able to make it to shore, however the man is still missing and presumed drowned.

Also in Yuba County, police pulled the body of a 29-year-old man from the waters of Collins Lake Sunday after several 911 calls reported the body floating in the water.

The fatalities came amid several warnings from authorities that the above average runoff from the high country snow melt would cause treacherous and potentially deadly conditions in area waters.