BASS LAKE — The Madera County Sheriff’s Office has confirmed that a Sacramento area man in his 60s died Saturday afternoon at Bass Lake.
The incident occurred at 3:30 p.m., according to Deputy Sarah Jackson, MCSO’s public information officer.
A family from the Sacramento area visiting Bass Lake on a boating excursion was docked in a cove east of Lakeview Estates when the man “jumped off the boat holding a flotation cushion,” according to Jackson.
The man, who was not wearing a life vest, subsequently lost his grip on the cushion and went below the water’s surface.
“It’s unknown what happened when he entered the water,” Jackson added, “but after he went underwater, he became unresponsive.”
An off-duty nurse who was in the area helped pull the man from the water and began performing CPR until MCSO boat patrol deputies arrived.
“The subject was transferred to the police boat and deputies continued CPR until the victim was transferred to an EMS unit at the Bass Lake Watersports Marina.
“The man was pronounced deceased by EMS at 4:09 p.m.,” Jackson said.
Alcohol is not believed to have been a factor in the accident.
Authorities, who suspect the man may have suffered a heart attack, plan to perform an autopsy.
Jackson said the victim’s name and place of residence will be released by the coroner’s office after his identity is confirmed.
