California man drowns at Yuba Reservoir Wednesday

YUBA RESERVOIR, Juab County — An 18-year-old Sacramento, Calif., man drowned when he had an apparent seizure while swimming at Yuba Reservoir Wednesday, officials said.

The man, who was in Utah visiting family, was jumping off a cliff near the Painted Rocks boat ramp, on the east side of the reservoir, when he resurfaced and family said his eyes went wide and he went back underwater around about 5:30 p.m.

Family members attempted to rescue the man and called for help from Yuba Lake State Park officials, as the California man has a history of seizures.

Search and rescue teams and a diving team from Juab County searched for the victim for about three hours until his body was recovered in a 12-foot-deep area of the reservoir, Juab County Sheriff Alden Orme said.

The victim's body was taken to Central Valley Medical Center in Nephi. Officials have yet to publicly release the man's name.

Orme said the incident is very unfortunate and said people should always wear life jackets when they're out on the water.

"You just can't be too careful," he said. "These accidents happen, and it's just a tragic loss."

Officials said the last drowning at Yuba Reservoir was nearly a year ago.

— Lana Groves