Emergency personnel responded Sunday afternoon to a report of a drowning at the Red Rock recreation area, and recovered a man’s body from the water, according to the Santa Barbara County Fire Department.
Crews were dispatched shortly after 1:45 p.m. to the popular swimming area on the Santa Ynez River in Los Padres National Forest, said Karen Cruz-Orduña, a Fire Department spokeswoman.
The 19-year-old had been in the water for more than an hour by the time his body was recovered from a deep pool, Cruz-Orduña said.
His name was not released pending notification of relatives.
County firefighters, including a water rescue team, were assisted on the incident by personnel from the city of Santa Barbara, the sheriff’s Search & Rescue Team, and the U.S. Forest Service.
A county helicopter also responded to the scene, but was later canceled.
The Red Rock area off Paradise Road boasts several large swimming holes along the trail, plus the Red Rock pools approximately one-half mile from the trailhead. It is a popular recreation area during the summer.
“We would like to remind the public about the dangers of swimming in the falls day-use area,” Karen Cruz-Orduña said.
She offered the following safety advice:
- Avoid swimming alone.
- If you’re an inexperienced swimmer, avoid getting in the water.
- Stay within designated safe zones.
- Avoid alcohol or drugs before or during water activities.
- Wear a life jacket.
- Don’t dive headfirst into unknown waters.