Drowning near Ocean-to-Ocean Bridge

A man drowned Wednesday afternoon in the Colorado River while swimming in an area underneath the Ocean-to-Ocean Bridge.

According to Mike Erfert, spokesman for the Yuma Fire Department, YFD personnel responded to the river area, which is part of the Gateway Park, at approximately 2:15 p.m.

"Rescue personnel were told that an adult male had been swimming, went under water, and did not come back to the surface," Erfert said.

The call for assistance, Erfert said, originally came from the Yuma County Sheriff’s Office, which was also responding to the call.

Once on scene, Erfert said firefighters in water rescue gear began searching in the immediate area of the river.

They were joined by additional YFD swift water rescue team members, who searched the river on Jet Skiis, a short time later.

As YFD dive team members were preparing to enter the water, a YCSO observer who had gone up on to the Ocean-to-Ocean Bridge spotted the victim in approximately five feet of water.

From his position, the YSCO observer was then able to direct the YFD team members to the location.

The victim, who had been underwater for approximately 45 minutes, was removed from the river and transported to Yuma Regional Medical Center, where he was pronounced dead.

The name and age of the victim has not been released. The drowning is being investigated by the Yuma County Sheriff’s Office.

The YFD can be followed at www.twitter.com/YumaFireDept

James Gilbert can be reached at jgilbert@yumasun.com or 539-6854.