Two rescued from San Joaquin River after clinging to branches near Hwy 41 in Fresno
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- Firefighters and a water rescue team located two people clinging to river branches.
- Crews reached victims by boat, transferred them from trees, and returned them to shore.
- One victim transported to hospital; nighttime low visibility complicated the response.
Two people were rescued Sunday night from the San Joaquin River near Highway 41.
The incident began just before 8 p.m.
Authorities received a call about victims in the river, hanging from trees in the middle of the waterway. Firefighters responded, making their way down to the river’s edge to locate the victims.
A specialized water rescue team was also deployed, launching boats into the river to reach them.
According to Fresno Fire Battalion Chief Bob Camp, the victims were holding onto branches amid what is believed to have been a strong current.
Rescue crews were able to reach them by boat, safely transfer them from the trees, and bring them back to shore.
Emergency personnel evaluated both victims once they were on land.
One person was taken to the hospital, but the extent of their injuries has not been disclosed. The condition of the second victim remains unclear.
Camp said low visibility due to nighttime conditions made the rescue more challenging. However, crews were able to locate the victims quickly and use established boat launch points to expedite the response.
This story was originally published March 22, 2026 at 9:32 PM.
