Livingston teenager swept away in Merced River presumed drowned, authorities say
Authorities are searching for a teenager who is believed to have drowned after disappearing under water in the Merced River over the weekend.
Shortly before 8 p.m. Saturday, Merced County Sheriff’s Office deputies responded to McConnell State Recreation Area after a 17-year-old Livingston boy went under water and has not been seen since, according to Deputy Michael Domingue. Authorities said the boy was reportedly on a kayak without a life jacket before disappearing under the water.
Family members attempted to help the boy but they were unsuccessfully and he has not been seen since. Domingue said information from the Merced Irrigation District indicated the river was flowing at about 2,600 cubic feet per second on Saturday when the boy disappeared. The flow increased Sunday, to roughly 3,500 cubic feet per second. The average normal rate of flow for the river is roughly 200 to 500 cubic feet per second, according to Domingue.
The Stanislaus County Sheriff’s Office Aviation Unit assisted deputies with the search Saturday until about midnight. Domingue said authorities resumed the search for the boy Sunday and due to unsafe river conditions, deputies searched by boat and land as well as with the use of drones and the Merced County Sheriff’s Office Aviation Unit including a helicopter and fixed wing aircraft.
Authorities said at this time there are no indication of the boy being located on shore or in the water and the incident is being treated as a presumed drowning.
On Monday, Merced County Sheriff Vern Warnke issued an order to close both the Merced River and San Joaquin River to recreational use. According to the sheriff’s office, there has been an increase in the amount of water released into Merced County waterways as a result of snow melt in the Sierra Nevada Mountains. The additional water has created dangerous conditions including swift moving cold water in rivers, creeks and canals.
Domingue said the sheriff’s office does not recommend anyone get in the water at this time. Authorities advise the public to always use common sense and practice safety when on the water including wearing a life jacket.
“Make smart decisions when you are going near water,” Domingue said.
Those who do not know how to swim should stay out of the water, according to authorities. Anyone with information regarding the incident is asked to contact the Merced County Sheriff’s Office at 209-385-7445.
