Deputies’ boat patrol rescues three people on Yuba River caught in fast currents

Three people were rescued from the Feather River between Yuba City and Marysville after being caught in a strong current, according to the Sutter County Sheriff’s Office.

On Sunday, police officers on patrol noticed a group of people along the beach near the Fifth Street Bridge, asking for help. Officers’ attention was drawn to a man struggling in the water, about 100 yards from shore, caught in strong currents and without a life jacket.

Marine patrol officers threw the man a life jacket and a rescue rope before hoisting him onto their boat. Officers then noticed two women on rafts about a quarter-mile downriver, also caught in the fast-moving water. Officers said the women were also trying to save the man when they were swept downstream.

All three people were eventually pulled ashore and were not injured, deputies said.

According to the National Weather Service and the Department of Water Resources, flow conditions for the Feather River in the Twin Cities area were not available due to vandalism at the flow gauge. The downstream flow of the Feather River was about 9,000 cubic feet per second Saturday.