PLACER COUNTY, Calif. — Rescuers were called out to search for a “swimmer in distress” at the American River confluence just to the south of the Foresthill Bridge in Placer County.
A Placer County Sheriff’s Office helicopter was called in to search for the swimmer at the confluence between the North Fork and Middle Fork of the American River.
Crews were called to the confluence shortly after 5 p.m. on a report of a young man hanging onto a tree, yelling for help, according to the Placer County Sheriff’s Office.
The first deputy to respond reported seeing the man floating down the river toward the Highway 49 bridge before they were out of sight. Just after 9 p.m., rescuers called off the search for the day.
The sheriff’s office said that the American River Confluence covers 7,000 cubic square feet and that the force of the water is capable of moving a fully-loaded school bus.
Deputies discourage swimmers from getting in the river because of the speed and temperature of the water.
Crews from multiple law enforcement and fire agencies helped with the search. The identity of the swimmer has not been released. Authorities have not yet said with whom, if anyone, the victim was swimming.
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