Full Notification

DATE/TIME: Monday, September 3, 2018, at 4:00 p.m.
INCIDENT: MINOR INJURY TO SHERIFF’S DIVE TEAM MEMBER
LOCATION: COLORADO RIVER, NEAR TOPOCK GORGE
 
SUMMARY:
On Monday, September 3, 2018, at about 4:00 p.m., a detective from the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department – Dive Team was assisting with the dive operations on the Colorado River when he suffered minor injuries from a dive related illness. The detective has been helping the past two days in dive operations trying to find the missing boaters that were involved in an unfortunate boating collision on Saturday night.
 
This detective has been very tenacious with his involvement by participating in over ten dives the last two days trying to do his best to help the family members get some sort of closure. He is an experienced diver and has served on the department’s dive team for over 15 years with our dive team.
 
The detective was taken by ground ambulance to Havasu Airport, and our Aviation Division’s air rescue helicopter flew him to Arrowhead Regional Medical Center to be treated. He is expected to have a full recovery and was only admitted as a precautionary measure.
 
Due to darkness, fatigue, and safety concerns dive operations have stopped for the day. The multi-agency joint dive operations will resume tomorrow morning for the missing boaters. Today’s operation had over 30 law enforcement divers conducting underwater searches. These conditions are very rigorous and straining due to heavy current, dive depth, and heat conditions. Divers are in full gear with over 100-degree temperatures outside. Over the last two days, divers have covered over 5-miles of the waterway from the Park Moabi Channel to Topock Gorge.
 
REFER: Marc Bracco, Sergeant
DIVISION: Public Affairs
CONTACT: (909) 387-3700
 
JOHN McMAHON, Sheriff-Coroner
San Bernardino County Sheriff-Coroner Department