Two people drown on same day in Northern California river, deputies say
Two people died in separate incidents along the Russian River in Northern California on the same day, sheriff’s officials reported.
Deputies responded to reports of two youths struggling in the water at Monte Rio Beach at 2:53 p.m. Sunday, July 13, the Sonoma County Sheriff’s Office said in a news release.
A bystander pulled a young girl from the river, and searchers found a teenage boy in the water, The Press Democrat reported. Rescuers tried to revive him, but he was pronounced dead.
In a separate incident at Martinelli Beach, a man was found unresponsive in the river at 3:49 p.m., deputies said in the release. He was pronounced dead after rescuers could not revive him.
“The water currents can change quickly, the depths can change quickly, and what seems like easy placid water in one spot could be rushing or much much deeper,” Matt Windrem, deputy chief of the Sonoma County Fire District, told KNTV.
The Russian River is about 140-mile drive northwest from Sacramento.
What to know about drowning
At least 4,000 people die from drowning every year in the U.S., according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and drowning is a leading cause of death for children.
Some factors can make drowning more likely, including not knowing how to swim, a lack of close supervision, not wearing a life jacket and drinking alcohol while recreating near or in water.
The National Drowning Prevention Alliance said there are tips to help keep you safe in the water, including checking local weather conditions, never swimming alone and choosing the right equipment.
“Don’t hesitate to get out of the water if something doesn’t feel right,” the group said on its website. “Whether it’s that the current is getting rough, rain has started to fall, or your body is just not responding like you would like it to due to fatigue or muscle cramps, then just leave and return to the water another day. It’s always a good thing to trust your instincts.”
This story was originally published July 14, 2025 at 10:17 AM with the headline "Two people drown on same day in Northern California river, deputies say."