Fourth of July weekend proves deadly on local lakes

FRESNO COUNTY, Calif. (KFSN) -- State park rangers were quick to hand out tickets this Fourth of July weekend after several drownings and near drownings in our local lakes and rivers.

Search teams recovered a man's body at Shaver Lake on Sunday, and they are still trying to find the body of a 24-year-old who drowned at Hume Lake. A 15-year-old boy nearly drowned in Millerton Lake on Saturday, which is why first responders are on high alert.

Patrollers at Millerton Lake are taking every step they can to ensure people are boating safely this holiday weekend. A quick glance at a packed boat is all it took for first responders to notice the lack of safety gear on board. They are quick to write tickets and send you back to the boat launch if you're not complying with regulations.

Supervising State Park Ranger Mark DeLeon says it's because of lack of preparation that cause terrible accidents -- like a near drowning on Saturday.

"Fifteen-year-old was out swimming with family members and went underwater, lifeguards were notified fairly quickly and were able to recover the young man," said DeLeon.

This comes one day after a rescue in Fresno County at Winton Park, where two people were stranded on an island trying to save a young boy. Near Shaver Lake, Fresno County Sheriff's search and rescue teams recovered the body of a boulder climber who fell into the water.

State park officers say they will be hitting the water hard until September.