In a tragic incident on Sunday afternoon, an eight-year-old girl lost her life and her four-year-old brother remains missing after they fell into Kings River in California.
The siblings, their mother, and a family friend were attempting to navigate their way to a rock to climb, when the swift river currents swept the children away. Distressingly, neither of the children were equipped with life jackets when the incident took place.
Following the mishap, deputies from the Fresno County Sheriff’s Office and Cal Fire firefighters initiated a rescue operation. Utilizing both a helicopter and rescue boats, they scoured the river in search of the children. Within the first hour, they made the grim discovery of the girl’s body, while her younger brother still remains unaccounted for. The search for the boy continues, authorities confirm.
As of now, the identities of the children remain undisclosed.
Sheriff John Zanoni pointed out that the Kings and San Joaquin Rivers have been off-limits since March 14, owing to safety concerns. Harsh winter storms coupled with melting snow have caused water levels to rise, leading to hazardous conditions. Zanoni reiterated that any disregard for the closure by recreational users would result in a fine.