Tragic Drowning Claims Life of 49-Year-Old Oakland Man at Shasta Lake on Fourth of July

SHASTA COUNTY, Calif. — A 49-year-old man from Oakland drowned Saturday afternoon while swimming in Shasta Lake, prompting a multi-agency search and recovery effort over the busy holiday weekend.

According to the Shasta County Sheriff’s Office, deputies from the Boating Safety Unit (BSU) responded to a report of a possible drowning around 12:56 p.m. on July 4 near the shore of Old Man Campground, close to the Gooseneck and Beehive Campgrounds.

Witnesses reported that Antonio Fernandez had entered the water with friends and family members to help several juveniles with a personal watercraft. As the group attempted to swim across a cove, Fernandez went underwater for unknown reasons and did not resurface.

Deputies quickly requested assistance from the California Highway Patrol Northern Division Air Operations, the U.S. Forest Service, and the Sheriff’s Office Dive Team. BSU deputies and Forest Service personnel used sonar equipment to locate the victim, and dive team members successfully recovered his body.

Fernandez was positively identified, and his next-of-kin have been notified. A postmortem examination is scheduled.

The Shasta County Sheriff’s Office expressed gratitude to all participating agencies for their coordinated response. In a statement, officials emphasized water safety, urging the public to always wear personal flotation devices (PFDs) while on or near the water.

Drownings remain a leading cause of accidental death in California, particularly during summer months when large crowds flock to popular reservoirs like Shasta Lake. Officials recommend swimming in designated areas, never swimming alone, and ensuring children and inexperienced swimmers wear life jackets at all times.