A two-day search for a 75-year old boater on Eagle Lake ended when Lassen County Sheriff’s Deputies found the man submerged up to his face in water and clinging to life near Pelican Point, north of the Merrill Campground, Wednesday morning.
The LCSO Dispatch Center had received a call late Tuesday night in regards to a missing boater at Eagle Lake.
“The reporting party informed our Dispatch Center that his friend, an elderly man, had left the Merrill Campground in a 15’ aluminum boat,” explains LCSO Captain Mike Carney.
The boater was headed for the Eagle Lake Marina and was to meet his friend there to load the boat on a trailer, but he never arrived at the Marina.
“Deputies immediately responded and began searching the area, both on land and water. Patrol boats were deployed as well as ground units. The search for the missing boater continued into the night to no avail.”
The next morning at daybreak, a request was made to the California Highway Patrol for a helicopter to fly the area in attempt to locate the missing boater. Boating and ground deputies were also re-deployed along with the Lassen County Search and Rescue Team.
According to Carney, the CHP’s helicopter located the boat near Pelican Point, unoccupied.
“H16 was able to direct our patrol boat to the area. Ground units responded as well. Deputies discovered the boat had been tied up, with the engine stowed in the “up” position.”
Deputies and Search and Rescue members immediately began a search of the area for the missing boater.
“Shoe prints were discovered and followed for a short distance before they were lost in the rocky terrain. Motorcycles, Quads, and a side by side were deployed to cover as much ground as possible in attempts to locate the missing boater.”
Shortly after noon, Deputies were searching the shoreline and working back in a southern direction, when they located the missing boater, who was lying on his back in the water, clinging to life.
“The boater’s head was on shore and was covered in water up to his ears, with only his face protruding from the water. The rest of the man’s body was under water.”
Deputies removed the man from the water and began life saving efforts. A SEMSA Air Ambulance was requested to respond to the scene.
“The man was incoherent and could not speak. Deputies provided first aid were able to stabilize him until the Air Ambulance landed. The man was transported to an out of area hospital via helicopter in critical condition.”
Captain Carney and the Lassen County Sheriff’s Office thanked the California Highway Patrol, The Lassen County Search and Rescue Team, and SEMSA for their assistance with this incident.
“Our thoughts and prayers go out to this gentleman and his family. We wish you a full and speedy recovery.”
