‘Heroic’ Father Drowns Trying to Keep His 7-Year-Old Son Afloat After Their Kayak Capsized on Lake

A father has died after working to keep his young son above water when their kayak overturned at Lake Perris State Recreation Area in California.

In a press release shared Sunday, Dec. 7, the California Department of Parks and Recreation said the 54-year-old man died on Saturday after helping to keep his 7-year-old son alive and afloat.

“At approximately 4:13 p.m., California State Park peace officers at Lake Perris SRA responded to reports of screaming and persons in distress in the water near Moreno Beach,” the release stated.

Officials said the kayak capsized while the pair were paddling offshore.

Neither the father nor the child was wearing a life jacket at the time, though one was found on the vessel, according to authorities.

“State Park peace officers quickly arrived on scene via patrol vessel and immediately recovered the man, who was unconscious and partially submerged,” the department said.

The child, they noted, “was in distress but conscious and holding his father, helping to keep himself above water.”

“Investigators noted that the father heroically kept his son afloat throughout the ordeal, supporting him until rescue personnel arrived,” the statement continued.

Authorities said both the father and son were pulled from the water before CPR was administered to the man.

“I would say it was … at least 45 minutes that CPR was going on,” witness Michelle Juarez told OnScene.TV, per the Los Angeles Times. “We could hear from the boat [someone] saying, ‘Take the child to the ambulance.’ … Something tragic definitely happened.”

Both were transported to Riverside University Health System, “where the father was pronounced dead,” officials said. “The 7-year-old was being evaluated at the hospital.”

The department extended its “deepest condolences to the family and loved ones affected by this tragedy.”

The California State Parks law enforcement division and the Riverside County Sheriff-Coroner’s Office are investigating the incident.

“State Parks urges all visitors to wear a properly fitted, U.S. Coast Guard-approved life jacket at all times while recreating near or on the water,” the release added. “California law requires children 12 and under to wear a life jacket on a moving recreational vessel of any length. For safety tips when recreating in the outdoors, visit parks.ca.gov/SafetyTips.”