Hiker drowns in waters near inflow to Folsom Lake

Despite a dramatic rescue by authorities and two good Samaritans, a stranded hiker was reportedly swept away and drowned in the waters near the inflow of Folsom Lake on Saturday afternoon. According to an El Dorado County Sheriff's Office report, at about 11:30 a.m. Saturday, deputies were dispatched to a report of two hikers stranded on a rock in the South Fork of the American River near Satan's Cesspool Rapid. That area is accessible from Pilot Hill and along the river's inflow into Folsom Lake. Deputies said one of the two individuals was swept away by the current, which prompted a multi-agency response, including air support along with the help of two kayakers in the area who joined the search. "Reportedly, the decedent was hiking with a small group and went into the river to a rock outcropping," said Sgt. Eric Palmberg of the El Dorado County Sheriff's Department. "While in the river, the water rose quickly due to the water release upstream. One of the people was pulled into the rapids and swept downriver shortly after, initiating a multi-agency response." After those in the helicopter located the person down the river, the two kayakers helped pull the victim out of the water to the shore below the Hospital Bar Rapid closer to the lake. Sheriff deputies reportedly performed life-saving measures but the person was pronounced dead at the scene. The El Dorado County Sheriff's Office has not released the name of the person who drowned but said they are investigating the case. Units with California State Parks, the Placer County Sheriff's Office and South Placer Fire Department assisted with the search efforts. Saturday's drowning is the third in a month to take place in and around the waters of Folsom Lake. Later in the afternoon, shortly after 2 p.m., agencies responded to the area again at Doton's Point for another possible drowning after a person went missing. Authorities located and rescued the victim in the later incident.