Photo: Kube, Michelle (uploader)
A tragic incident unfolded at Lake Perris State Recreation Area on Saturday when a 54-year-old man drowned after saving his seven-year-old son from a capsized kayak.
The accident occurred around 4:15 p.m. near Moreno Beach, prompting a swift response from California State Park peace officers following reports of distress and screaming in the water.
According to a statement by California State Parks, the father heroically kept his son afloat until rescue personnel arrived. Neither was wearing a life jacket, despite one being available on the kayak. Upon arrival, officers found the man unconscious and partially submerged, while the child clung to him, conscious but in distress.
Witness Michelle Juarez, who was on a nearby boat, observed the rescue efforts and reported that CPR was administered for at least 45 minutes. Both the father and son were transported to Riverside University Health System, where the father was pronounced dead. The child was hospitalized for evaluation.
The California Department of Parks and Recreation has expressed condolences to the family and is investigating the incident, along with the Riverside County Sheriff-Coroner’s Office, which will determine the official cause of death and identify the victim.
This tragedy highlights the importance of wearing life jackets, as California law mandates that children 12 and under must wear them on moving recreational vessels. The incident remains under investigation by law enforcement personnel from California State Parks.