Update: 65-year-old dies a day being pulled from Kings River in Fresno County
A man in a kayak who fell into the Kings River just below Pine Flat Dam on Friday afternoon has died.
He was identified by the Fresno County Coroner’s Office as 65-year-old Russell Mayfield of Visalia.
The incident happened at 2:05 p.m. when the kayaker got caught up in the turning water at a weir. The water sucked him under and spit him up.
Deputies said witnesses threw him a rope and he grabbed it. But as they tried to pull him out he slipped away.
Two sergeants, who were at dive training at nearby Avocado Lake, heard the call and responded. The sergeants pulled the man to shore and started life-saving measures before he was taken to a local hospital.
Spokesperson Tony Botti said the man was in the water for up to 20 minutes with water temperature in the low 50s.
“We want to emphasize the importance of properly wearing a life jacket and if you have an opportunity, you should always lie on your back, feet downstream and try to steer yourself toward the shore or toward an object to grab onto,” Botti said.
This story was originally published April 18, 2025 at 4:46 PM.
