Search Back On For 5 Year Old Girl Swept Away By River

209 TimesStanislaus County 1 Comment

KNIGHTS FERRY- Authorities are back out on the Stanislaus River searching for 5 year old Matilda Ortiz who fell into the fast moving river yesterday while putting her feet in according to the Stanislaus County Sheriff Department. Her father and two men jumped in after her, but could not grab her.

Photo: Stanislaus Consolidated Fire Protection District

According to the Stanislaus Consolidated Fire Protection District yesterday at 4:59pm they were dispatched to a water rescue for 9 people.  They responded with 3 boats, 2 engines, and a chief officer to the Knights Ferry, California Recreation area. In a statement released they say:

“The first boat to arrive was able to recover one male adult out of a tree and get him to a waiting ambulance.  The other individuals were able to get out of the river with help, or on their own.  It was determined that the only person unaccounted for was a young female juvenile.

Rescue crews searched for over 3+ hours until darkness made the search to dangerous to be on the water.  Tragically, the young female juvenile was not found.

  We would like to thank the Stanislaus County Sheriff’s Department, PHI Med 4-1 Modesto, and Army Corp of Engineers for their assistance.

Please stay away from the river, the water is moving very fast, and it is cold.  If you need to be near the water, always have a personal flotation device (LIFE Jacket) on”.

Family of Matilda are hopeful she can still be found.

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