American River Rafter Found Dead Following Boat Flip on the North Fork

CalFire was alerted to an incident at the Mineral Bar Campground in Colfax on the North Fork of the American River on Saturday, where three people who weren’t wearing life jackets were thrown from their raft. Two of the rafters were rescued, while one dead body was recovered from the river.

The body of 56-year-old Sacramento resident David Wayne Johnson was found on Sunday night following a nearly 24-hour search by officials. While the other rafters had been rescued on Saturday, the search for Johnson was suspended due to strong rapids and lack of sunlight.

Johnson’s body was found around upper Lake Clementine, according to the Placer County Sheriff’s Office.

This is a strong reminder that it is ALWAYS necessary to wear a life jacket while rafting. Anything can happen on the river, and staying afloat in strong rapids is very difficult