MADERA COUNTY — A 27-year-old developmentally disabled Madera man died in an apparent drowning accident Thursday afternoon at Hensley Lake.
The Madera County Sheriff’s Office has identified the victim as Carl Jefferson.
“We received the call at 4:31 p.m. of a caregiver reporting a dependent adult missing near Hensley Lake,” said Deputy Sarah Jackson, MCSO public information officer. “We immediately sent deputies to search for him and Fresno County Sheriff’s Office sent their helicopter to assist.”
The MCSO dive team also responded and joined in the search for the man.
At approximately 5:30 p.m. deputies located Jefferson in the water. He was immediately removed and CPR was administered.
“Unfortunately, he was pronounced deceased at the scene,” Jackson said. “Our deepest condolences go out to his family and friends.”
The accident remains under investigation.