Man drowns trying to rescue dog that jumped from boat into California lake

A 60-year-old man from Redding, California, died after he leapt into Lake Shasta to try to save a dog that jumped off a moving boat.

The Shasta County Sheriff's Office arrived at the lake around 9:12 am on September 11, 2026, after receiving a call regarding a possible drowning near the Bailey Cove Boat Launch, according to KRCR.

Deputies said the man, identified as Geordan White, of Redding, was on a boat when a dog jumped off the vessel and into the lake. He jumped in after the dog to retrieve the animal.

However, when White hit the water, he experienced an unknown emergency and began calling for help.

Another person on the boat threw White a flotation device, which he was initially able to grab onto. However, he eventually let go, slipped into the water, and did not resurface.

The dog was rescued from the water.

The sheriff's office dive team, as well as Cal Fire and the U.S. Forest Service, used boats to search for White. The divers eventually located the man's body on Friday afternoon.

A post-mortem examination has been scheduled for White.

The sheriff's office said the incident was a reminder that boaters should always wear flotation devices while they're out on the water.

“The Shasta County Sheriff’s Office extends our condolences to the victim’s loved ones,” officials wrote. “The Sheriff’s Office also encourages the public to always wear personal flotation devices while on the water.”

Per a 2024 Coast Guard report, drowning deaths account for 76 percent of all fatalities associated with boating activities.

The report found that between 400 and 500 boaters die from drowning every year. Approximately 87 percent of people who die from drowning were not wearing life vests, according to the Coast Guard.