Scuba diver who died in Sacramento River and victim in an American River incident are ID’d

Two people who died in separate incidents on capital region waterways on Saturday have been identified by the Sacramento County Coroner’s Office.

Nathan Leon Lewis II, 46, of Rio Linda, a recreational scuba diver with more than 12 years experience, was found near the Walnut Grove Bridge nearly two hours after he had entered the Sacramento River.

Life-saving measures were attempted but authorities pronounced him dead at the scene about 2 p.m.

According to the Walnut Grove Fire Department, water rescue crews and members of the Coast Guard were dispatched about 12:40 p.m. when members of Lewis’ scuba group noticed that he had not returned to the surface after an hour.

The group also re-entered the river to assist with the search and the department chief said that a fellow diver was actually able to locate Lewis after finding a loose fin.

The department chief also told the Bee that Lewis had two oxygen tanks that could have given him the ability to stay underwater for at least two hours. But their analysis found that he had not used them, leading them to believe that he experienced a medical emergency.

They said that they could not find any evidence of foul play.

Recovery on American River

The Metro Fire Department found Thelma Gomez, 37, of Concord about 1:30 p.m. Saturday near the Clay Banks along the American River after she had reportedly fallen into the water.

Metro Fire Department Capt. Parker Wilbourn said that Gomez was airlifted out of the water by helicopter a mile downstream from where she had fallen, which was about how fast the currents were flowing that day.

Wilbourn said that Gomez was found in critical condition and flown to a local hospital, where she died from her injuries.

This story was originally published July 10, 2022 at 12:00 AM.