Woman dies in NorCal river after life vest tangles on branch

Two people drowned in the Trinity River last week as strong currents swept through the waterway.

Read more Spencer Pratt’s ongoing, AI-fueled war against Los Angeles

The first drowning happened on Thursday in the Campbell Creek area of the river in the town of Hoopa, the Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office said in a news release Tuesday. Witnesses told authorities the person walked into chest-deep water before being swept away by the strong current and disappearing underwater, the sheriff’s office said.

Sheriff’s deputies were called to the river just before noon and requested assistance from the Hoopa Valley Tribal Police Department, whose officers were closer to the scene. 

Officers used a boat to reach the person after arriving in the area. Rescuers performed CPR and other life-saving measures, but the person died at the scene, the sheriff’s office said. 

The second drowning happened Saturday north of Burwood Lane in Willow Creek, where a woman fell into the water after her inner tube overturned in the river’s swift current. The woman was wearing a life vest, but she was trapped underwater after her vest became tangled on a tree branch, the sheriff’s office said. 

Friends freed the unconscious woman from the branch, and bystanders performed CPR until sheriff’s deputies arrived. When authorities arrived just after 1:30 p.m., they continued to perform medical treatment and lifesaving measures, but the woman was pronounced dead at the scene. 

Read more Salvador Perez ties the franchise home run record with his 317th as the Royals beat the Giants 5-4

Officials are scheduled to conduct autopsies this week, and the two people will be identified. SFGATE had contacted the sheriff’s office on Monday upon first hearing about the drownings but did not hear back.

The sheriff’s office is urging the public to take precautions when visiting the river and never enter the water alone. It also recommends telling someone where you’re going before heading out and avoiding alcohol or impairing substances while in the water. Authorities are also urging people to “never underestimate the power of moving water,” even seemingly calm water, and to exit the water if it starts to feel dangerous.

“A moment of preparation can help prevent a tragedy. The Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office encourages everyone to enjoy the river responsibly and prioritize safety while recreating outdoors,” the sheriff’s office said. 

The deaths are still under investigation, and anyone with information is urged to call the sheriff’s office at 707-445-7251.