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Press release from the Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office:

On 5/15/2024, at about 6:00 p.m., Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office deputies were dispatched to the Kimtu Beach area of Willow Creek, CA. for the report of a possible drowning.

According to witnesses, an adult male was swimming in the Trinity River at that location when he showed signs of distress before disappearing below the water and had not been observed to resurface. Upon the arrival of first responders, another member of the missing man’s party was found to be stranded on a rock and unable to return to shore.

Deputies began obtaining necessary information and conducting search and rescue efforts from the shore as members of the H.C.S.O. Special Services Division also responded with a boat to begin an on the water search. Additionally, members of the Willow Creek Volunteer Fire Department, Hoopa Volunteer Fire Department, Hawkins Bar Volunteer Fire Department, Willow Creek/Hoopa Ambulance, and a U.S. Coast Guard helicopter also responded to assist with rescue efforts. Upon arrival of the U.S.C.G. helicopter, the male subject who was stranded on a rock was able to be rescued by the helicopter crew.

These agencies continued search efforts into the late evening, but were unable to locate the missing man, who has been identified as 23-year-old Jeshua Wilkinson of Arcata. Jeshua is described as being of Hawaiian descent, 5 foot 9 inches tall, approximately 160 pounds, short black hair, brown eyes, and last seen wearing black shorts. The H.C.S.O. and partner agencies, including a California Highway Patrol helicopter, are currently continuing search efforts in the area in an attempt to locate and recover Jeshua.

Anyone with information on this case is asked to contact the Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office at (707) 445-7251.