The victim of a recent drowning has been identified. He is 47 year old Luca Chiarabini of San Diego.
Around 9:00 am on August 3rd, the Fresno County Sheriff’s Office received a report that an adult had gone missing on the Kings River. This occurred near Yucca Point, which is northeast of Hume Lake. Deputies, the Sheriff’s Helicopter EAGLE One, CHP’s helicopter H40 and members of the Sheriff’s Search and Rescue (SAR) team responded to the area. They learned that a group of three people had parked at Yucca Point, hiked down a trailhead, crossed the river and camped overnight. After their overnight stay, they wanted to cross back over the river. Chiarabini chose to go into the water first, while the other two men stayed on shore. Chiarbini wore a helmet, wetsuit and fins as he tied a rope to himself and secured it to a rock. He was not wearing a life jacket. During his attempt to swim across the river, the current overwhelmed Chiarabini and caused him to drift into the rapids. The current eventually took him downstream and out of his friends’ sight. One of the hikers activated his emergency beacon equipped with inReach satellite technology, which notified the Sheriff’s Office to respond.
Around 9:50 am, FSO deputies operating Eagle One found Chiarabini submerged under water. SAR then coordinated personnel and equipment to carry out a rescue / recovery plan. SAR members used ropes to help themselves navigate through the extremely fast current with hazardous white water rapids. In the late afternoon, a deputy was able to secure Chiarabini’s body and bring it to shore.
The Sheriff’s Office reminds the public that the water in the Kings River is moving very quickly and at a faster pace than years past. Please make good judgement on the water, don’t venture outside your experience level and always wear a life jacket.
