Dardanelle, CA…From the Tuolumne Sheriff’s Dept…”Just before 4:45 this afternoon, our communication center received a call for help for a girl who fell into the river. The 15 year old girl from San Jose was camping with family at the Brightman Flat Campground in Dardanelle, and was fishing near the water when slipped on a rock and fell in. She was quickly swept down river and was luckily able to catch herself on the log pictured below. Bystanders went out on the log to try to help the girl and keep her calm until additional help arrived. They used ropes and stood downstream for safety. Deputy Boujikian, our Search and Rescue team, and Pinecrest Fire personnel, responded to the river and were able to get a helmet and life vest to the girl. She was able to pull herself along the log far enough for rescue personnel to get her out to safety. Medics on scene evaluated the girl, who thankfully only suffered some scrapes and bruises.

Due to the long winter we experienced and large amounts of snow fall we received, rivers are running extremely cold, high and fast.

We urge everyone who recreates near bodies of water to wear life vests and to please stay out of the rivers. These conditions will most likely remain this way throughout the summer.”

Please be safe!