Man Disappears After Falling Into Delta-Mendota Canal

LIVERMORE, CA — A multi-agency search for a man who vanished after falling into the Delta-Mendota Canal on Friday evening has shifted to a recovery mission, according to the Alameda County Sheriff's Office.

Officials said family and friends of Lester Ashcraft, 56, of Hollister, called for help after he slipped from a steep embankment and was swept away by a rapid current a few minutes before 10 p.m. Friday. The group tried to rescue him but he struggled to stay afloat in the fast-moving water, officials said.

The San Luis and Delta-Mendota Water Authority slowed the current from 3500 cubic feet per second to 900 but the water remained too treacherous for divers. Multiple agencies responded to search the area by foot, air and drone but could not find Ashcraft.

Search teams returned Saturday but were unable to locate him. The sheriff's office said the operation shifted to a recovery phase dictated by the current and Ashcraft's information was entered into the missing persons system.

"We want to remind the public that canals, lakes, rivers, and oceans have hidden hazards such as dangerous currents or waves, rocks or vegetation, and limited visibility that may not be obvious," the sheriff's office wrote on Facebook. "As we approach summer and continue to experience warmer weather, please be sure to exercise safety precautions such as wearing a life jacket, staying away from the water in unknown conditions and if you are unable to swim, avoiding alcohol and other substances, and checking for advisories related to the area you intend to visit."