California man identified as fourth Lake Shasta death since June

REDDING, CA - A man drowned at Lake Shasta in Northern California over the Fourth of July weekend while trying to help some youths on a personal watercraft, marking the latest death to occur in the area this summer, authorities said.

Deputies from the boating safety unit responded to a report of a possible drowning along the shore of Old Man Campground at around 12:56 p.m. local time July 4, according to the Shasta County Sheriff's Office. The Old Man Campground is a popular boat-in campground and located near the Gooseneck and Beehive campgrounds.

When deputies arrived at the scene, the sheriff's office said they requested assistance with search efforts from the California Highway Patrol Division Air Operations, the U.S. Forest Service, and the sheriff's office dive team.

"Witnesses told deputies that an adult male had entered the water with several friends and family members to assist their juveniles with a personal watercraft," the sheriff's office said in a news release on July 7. "As the parties attempted to swim across the cove, the victim went under the water for unknown reasons and didn't resurface."

The boating safety unit and Forest Service personnel used sonar to locate the man, and the dive team recovered the victim, according to the sheriff's office. The victim was identified as Antonio Fernandez, 47, from Oakland, California.

Fernandez's family was notified of his death, and the coroner's office has scheduled an autopsy, the sheriff's office said.

Recent deaths on Lake Shasta

Fernandez was the fourth person to die on Lake Shasta since June, when warmer weather in far Northern California drew more people to the region's waterways.

On June 23, a boater found remains believed to be those of Maxziel "Max" Castro, 22, of nearby Lakehead, reported the Redding Record Searchlight, part of the USA TODAY Network. Castro had been missing since the evening of June 2, when he told family members he was going kayaking on Lake Shasta.

The Shasta County Sheriff's Office boating safety unit recovered the remains east of Salt Creek Inlet, the area where search efforts for Castro had been focused. Authorities said the Shasta County Coroner's Office had not yet confirmed whether the remains were Castro's.

On June 22, Alvin Eatinger, 87, of Ashland, Oregon, died after becoming unresponsive while swimming near a houseboat in Shoemaker Creek in the Big Backbone Inlet, authorities said.

People nearby pulled Eatinger from the water, according to authorities. First responders provided medical aid before he was transported to a local hospital, where he later died.

On June 18, Vingenzo Anthony Colletti, 47, of nearby Palo Cedro, died after the boat he was riding in struck the shoreline at Town Creek Cove in the Sulanharas Creek area of Lake Shasta, authorities said.

Colletti and two other occupants - a second adult and a youth - were ejected from the boat, according to authorities. All three were taken to a local hospital, where Colletti later died.

Lake safety recommendations

Following Fernandez's death, the sheriff's office encouraged the public to wear personal flotation devices while on the water. Authorities and water safety experts have long advised visitors planning a day at the lake to take precautions to prevent accidents and drownings.

The U.S. Forest Service warns that lakes can contain hidden hazards - including shallow water, submerged rocks and fallen trees - making diving or jumping from cliffs and bridges especially dangerous. Swimmers are encouraged to choose designated swimming areas, swim only in safe conditions, and always use the buddy system.

Adults should closely supervise children around water and avoid distractions such as reading, using a phone, or other activities that take attention away from swimmers, the agency states on its website. The Forest Service advises avoiding alcohol before or during swimming or boating, as it can impair judgment and increase the risk of accidents.

Checking weather forecasts before heading to the lake is also important because strong winds and thunderstorms can quickly create hazardous conditions for swimmers and boaters, according to the agency.

The Forest Service also recommends:

• Learn to swim and consider CPR training.
• Wear a U.S. Coast Guard-approved life jacket while boating, regardless of swimming ability or boat size.
• Do not rely on water toys such as floaties, noodles, or inner tubes as substitutes for life jackets.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: California man identified as fourth Lake Shasta death since June

Reporting by Thao Nguyen and Jenny Espino, USA TODAY NETWORK / USA TODAY

USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect

Copyright Reuters or USA Today Network via Reuters Connect

This story was originally published July 10, 2026 at 12:56 AM.