Woman still missing after falling into Nevada County’s South Yuba River

A search continued Sunday for a woman who fell into the South Yuba River near Highway 49 the previous evening.

Emergency crews were called to the area at about 8:33 p.m. on Saturday after a woman entered the water and then disappeared under the surface, said Jason Robitaille, chief of the Nevada County Consolidated Fire District.

A search for her Saturday night was unsuccessful, as were efforts by search and rescue teams and aerial surveillance by the California Highway Patrol on Sunday, Robitaille said.

He said the woman was visiting from outside the area, entered the water with a friend and then was seen to be “struggling” in the river.

“Our hearts are with the family and loved ones during this difficult time,” Robitaille said in a press release. “The South Yuba River is known for its cold, swift waters and slippery rocks, which can create hazardous conditions even for experienced swimmers.”

The fire district issued a statement reminding people to exercise “extreme caution’ around rivers during the spring and early summer when snowmelt can make current particularly dangerous.

This story was originally published May 25, 2025 at 6:44 PM.