The Fresno County Sheriff - Coroner’s Office has released the name of the man who drowned Monday evening. He is Cody Merk, 26, of Sanger.
At 6:00 pm on Monday, deputies responded to the 17400 block of E. McKinley Ave. in Sanger for a report of an injured person. Cody Merk was swimming in Enterprise Canal with two of his younger relatives. As he was walking around in the water, the strong current pulled him under and then pushed him up to the surface. As Merk floated downstream. his relatives tried to pull him out of the water, but were unable to, so they ran approximately a ½ mile to a house and called for help.
The first deputy on scene was able to attach a tactical belt to Merk’s body and pulled him out of the water. The deputy performed CPR on Merk until paramedics with Life Flight responded. They flew Merk to Community Regional Medical Center where he was later pronounced deceased.
The Sheriff’s Office would like to remind people that swimming, fishing, playing or conducting other recreational activities in and around canals is prohibited. During the hot summer months, the water may look inviting, but underneath the surface are cold and powerful currents that will pull a person under very quickly. Adults and children should stay a safe distance from all canals.
