Man drowns on 4th of July

A man, who at press time had not been identified, drowned Wednesday in a swimming hole in the area of Highway 145 and Bonnie Way, according to Kayla Serrato, public information officer for the Madera County Sheriff’s Office.

Others who were in the area saw the victim enter the water. When he didn’t reappear, the Sheriff’s Office was called, about 6:30 p.m.

The Madera County Sheriff’s Office Dive Team responded to the scene and located the man in the water, Serrato said. He was pronounced dead at the scene.

The identity of the victim as of Thursday was still being determined by Sheriff’s Office identification technicians, Serrato said.

“It was unknown at this time whether drugs or alcohol played a role in the drowning,” she said.

The investigation remains ongoing. If anyone has information relating to this case, contact the Madera County Sheriff’s Office at 675-7770.”