Placer divers recover bodies of three men on American River near Soda Springs
Placer County Sheriff’s search divers on Sunday recovered the bodies of three men who vanished last week after jumping into Rattlesnake Falls on the North Fork of the American River.
The discovery came two days after officials scaled back the search due to high winds. The victims had been missing since Wednesday.
“It is with heavy hearts that we share the bodies of the three men have been recovered,” Placer County Sheriff’s Office posted to X. “Our heartfelt condolences go out to their families, friends, and all those affected by this tragic loss.”
Authorities were alerted just before 3 p.m. Wednesday after callers reported three men leaped into the river and did not resurface. The incident occurred in steep, remote terrain near Soda Springs.
The Sheriff’s Office launched a search with divers, rescue units, Cal Fire’s Technical Rescue Team, and a California Highway Patrol helicopter. Rescuers said the difficult-to-access location posed major challenges.
“The terrain is extremely remote and difficult to access, making rescue efforts especially challenging,” the agency stated Wednesday.
“The terrain is extremely remote and difficult to access, making rescue efforts especially challenging,” Placer County Sheriff’s Office said at the outset of the search Wednesday via social media.
The three men were part of a group of six hikers, according to officials. A helicopter later airlifted the other hikers from the canyon and ferried divers to the scene.
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