Swimmer drowns after attempting to cross American River | News

RANCHO CORDOVA, CA - A man who was pulled from the American River on Saturday was believed to be under water for up to 25 minutes.

Sacramento Metro Fire Department received a call around 4:30 after the man and three others were attempting to swim across the river at the time. Halfway across, officials say, the man went under and never resurfaced.

A rescue helicopter spotted the man's body under water near the location that he had disappeared. A Fire rescue boat pulled him out of the water.

The fire department says they believe he had been under water for more than 25 minutes.

Medics performed CPR on him as he was air lifted to UC Davis Medical Center for treatment.

Fire officials later say that the man did not survive. They have not released his name or cause of death at this time but did say that he was not wearinga life jacket.

Fire crews say that the man and his friends had parked at Anzel Hoffman Park before entering the water and attempting to swim to the shore near Hagen Park.