Hollister
– Three Castroville men survived a scare while fishing on San
Justo Reservoir Wednesday afternoon when their rowboat capsized,
spilling all three into the chilly water.
Hollister – Three Castroville men survived a scare while fishing on San Justo Reservoir Wednesday afternoon when their rowboat capsized, spilling all three into the chilly water.
One of the men swam to shore while the others were pulled from the water by two fishermen who saw their boat capsize, authorities said.
An 18-year-old man who had lost consciousness and had water in his lungs was revived on the reservoir’s shore and was taken by ambulance to Hazel Hawkins Memorial Hospital, San Benito County Sheriff’s Office Sgt. Tom Keylon said.
His condition was unknown Wednesday evening.
Two 20-year-old men were treated for minor injuries by paramedics called to the scene, Cal Fire investigator Curt Itson said.
“Some local citizens here actually pulled the guys out of the water,” he said.
Itson said two men were fishing nearby when they saw the boat capsize about 50 feet from shore. The fishermen pulled the victims into their boat and took them ashore, landing near the reservoir’s western dam.
Keylon would not release the names of the men who were pulled from the water or the names of the fishermen who had rescued them.
The three men were fishing from a 14-foot aluminum boat. Authorities said they believe the men all leaned to one side, causing the boat to take on water just before it capsized.
The 18-year-old and one of the 20-year-old men were wearing life jackets, but the younger man lost his life jacket after falling into the water, authorities said.
Todd Baker, who has run Big Red Concessions at the reservoir for five years, said he has never seen an accident at the reservoir.
Cal Fire has only been called to the reservoir previously to douse vegetation fires in the surrounding hills, Itson said.
“It’s a pretty rare thing,” Itson said.
Deputies closed access to the reservoir for almost an hour.
Alcohol was not suspected in the accident, Keylon said. Weather conditions at the time were calm and clear.
Michael Van Cassell cover public safety for the Free Lance. He can be reached at 831-637-5566 ext. 335 or [email protected].
