Home Antioch After Falling into Antioch Canal, Boy Drowns

After Falling into Antioch Canal, Boy Drowns

by ECT

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At 2:15 pm Saturday, emergency crews quickly mobilized in an all out effort to try and rescue a boy from drowning who went into the Antioch Water District Canal. They were unsuccessful as the boy was recovered at 4:45 pm.

According to Contra Costa Fire District Captain Robert Marshall, the boy went into the water roughly a half-mile from White Horse Road and Hillcrest intersection. At that point, crews knew they had about a 2-mile stretch of water to cover quickly.

Marshall stated they had about 50-people on the incident in an all-out search for the boy. Agencies included the Contra Costa Water District, Contra Costa Sheriffs Dive Team, Contra Costa Fire Protection District, East Contra Fire Protection District, REACH Helicopter, American Medical Response, and Antioch Police Department.

“The unfortunate part is the canal is 6-to-10 feet deep and moving quickly. We wanted to get the resources in place to get the boy alive and that unfortunately didn’t happen. He was a quarter mile from where he went in,” explained Marshall.

According to Marshall, another boy was with him that saw him fall in. The boy then got in the water to try and rescue him and realized it was not the right move so he was able to get out and get help from 9-1-1.

Marshall also shared that the location where the boy supposedly went in, he would have had to climb a 6-ft fence. Once on the other side, it’s a steep incline and that once he fell it, it was an uphill climb from the start.

“This canal was deceptive; you couldn’t tell it was moving between 9-to-12 miles per hour,” said Marshall. “Please, talk to your kids about canals like this. We want to make sure parents understand the danger and start talking to their kids about no trespassing because we don’t want to do this ever again.”

The boy was found after the water district was able to bring a boat to the location and conduct a search.

“It’s a difficult day for everyone,” said Marshall. “Many of the people working the scene have kids of their own. Anytime you deal with a loss of life it’s difficult.  When someone so young, it’s doubly difficult because you can identify with innocents of youth.”

Marshall stated that at this time, they are unsure if the boy is an Antioch resident or from Oakland visiting family in Antioch. The boy is also either 12 or 13 years old.

The Antioch police are investigating the boy’s drowning.

Update:

The Contra Costa County coroner’s office identified the boy as Jumai Caldwell of Alameda.  The family was in Antioch visiting a former classmate who had since moved to the Antioch area

 

ABC7 is reporting
Officials say the 13-year-old boy fell into the water while playing two other boys — his 10-year-old cousin and another boy who is eight.

His younger cousin who could swim jumped in after him, but wasn’t able to help. That boy was able to get out of the water safely and call for help.

 

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