The Fresno County Sheriff-Coroner’s Office on Monday identified a man who drowned in the Kings River on Sept. 20 as 21-year-old Azeal Castro Colato of Los Angeles.
Around 4 p.m. that Saturday, a group of friends were swimming just south of the Pine Flat bridge when they realized one of the men was missing, sheriff’s officials said.
After searching along the riverbank, they encountered fishermen who had spotted something floating downstream.
Deputies and CalFire firefighters removed the man from the river about 30 minutes after he was last seen and declared him dead at the scene.
The Sheriff’s Office reminded the public to take safety precautions when swimming, including wearing a properly fitted life jacket, staying out of the water if inexperienced, and avoiding alcohol while swimming