Two Unrelated, Fatal Drownings Occur Within an Hour of Each Other Sunday In Russian River

Two drownings in Sonoma County’s Russian River on Sunday afternoon claimed the lives of a teenage boy and an adult man in separate incidents. The first tragedy unfolded at Monte Rio Beach when a teenage boy and a young girl were swept away by strong currents, leading to a frantic search by beachgoers. The girl was quickly rescued, but the boy was found unresponsive 15 minutes later, despite CPR efforts by first responders. Just under an hour later, another man was discovered unresponsive in the river in Forestville, after likely falling from his paddleboard without a life preserver. The Sonoma County Sheriff’s Office confirmed the incidents were unrelated but underscored the river's dangerous conditions.

Deputy Chief Matt Windrem stressed the necessity of flotation devices for anyone near the water, given the rapidly changing currents. These incidents serve as a tragic reminder of the risks associated with swimming in the Russian River during this time of year. The identities of the victims remain undisclosed as authorities work to notify next of kin.