December 24, 2007
ASSOCIATED PRESS
BYRON, CA -- Marine rescue teams searched the murky depths of the
Bethany Reservoir Monday for a Tracy man who fell into the waters
after his boat capsized while on a Christmas weekend fishing trip.
Contra County Sheriff Sgt. J.D. Nelson said searchers were
looking for Eric Wright, 32, who vanished while fishing with his
father-in-law around 4 p.m. Sunday when their boat capsized. The
father-in-law had gone onshore to retrieve a vehicle to pull the
boat from the water.
Wright, who was described as a good swimmer, was not wearing a
life jacket and had disappeared when the father-in-law returned.
The rural location of the reservoir added to the difficulties
because Wright's relative had to drive where cell phone service
allowed him to call 911.
Authorities responded to the scene with a helicopter equipped
with an infrared camera and 16 divers, but a search was finally
halted by darkness Sunday night after it failed to find any sign of
the man.
Nelson said the cold weather conditions were a major concern.
"The temperature of the water is not conducive (to survival from
prolonged exposure)," he said. "The temperature on shore is not
conducive to a wet person who is trying to survive the elements."
Copyright 2007 by KTVU.com.
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