The search for a missing kayaker who fell into the water along the American River near Auburn, Calif., was placed on hold Sunday because of poor conditions, the Placer County Sheriff’s Office said.
The missing man was on a kayak with another man when their vessel capsized Friday evening in fast-running water beneath the No Hands Bridge near Auburn, the Sheriff’s Office said.
The other man reached nearby rocks and safely made it back to shore, the Sheriff’s Office said. The missing person wasn’t identified, and officials said it wasn’t known whether he might still be aliveIt’s tough to say,” said Elise Soviar, a spokesperson for the Sheriff’s Office. “You never want to give up hope until you know.”
Authorities started to search for the missing kayaker Friday. A dive team also went out on the water Saturday morning as aerial and water search efforts continued throughout the day, she said.
Soviar said the search was suspended Sunday because of water flow and visibility. Conditions will determine whether the search will resume Monday.
Although the river might look inviting during a sunny day, authorities say people should avoid going into the water during this time of year.
“The water is very, very swift and it’s very, very cold because it’s coming from the mountains and this is a known dangerous portion of the American River,” she said.
The Sheriff’s Office teamed up with the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection‘s Nevada-Yuba-Placer Unit on the search. State Parks, the El Dorado County Sheriff’s Office and the California Highway Patrol also offered assistance, according to a social media post from the Placer County Sheriff’s Office on Friday.
Missing kayaker sought near American River Confluence, Placer authorities say
By Emma Hall , Sacramento Bee
May 3, 2025
The Placer County Sheriff’s Office said search and rescue teams were looking for a kayaker who went missing Friday near No Hands Bridge at the American River Confluence. The search resumed Saturday morning.
Placer County Sheriff's Office The Placer County Sheriff’s Office is looking for a missing kayaker last seen at No Hands Bridge near the American River Confluence, according to a social media post from sheriff’s officials Friday night. The Sheriff’s Office stated it obtained a report around 5 p.m. that a kayaker flipped below No Hands Bridge. Elise Soviar, a spokesperson for the Sheriff’s Office, said one kayaker was found safe near rocks by the No Hands Bridge. Soviar added the kayaker swam to shore and held onto the rocks underneath No Hands Bridge.
The search for the second kayaker remains underway, sheriff’s officials said Saturday morning. The search was temporarily suspended Friday night once it got dark and was activated again Saturday, Soviar said. The Sheriff’s Office is receiving assistance from Cal Fire’s Nevada-Yuba-Placer Unit in looking for the second kayaker, Soviar said.
Placer County Sheriff’s Office is also receiving support from California State Parks, the El Dorado County Sheriff’s Office and the California Highway Patrol, Placer sheriff’s officials stated online. Soviar encouraged hikers and other visitors to avoid the American River Confluence for the time being. She said the waters of the confluence are cold and moving fast, causing an increased risk of similar kayak incidents. “For anybody on the water this time of year, it’s dangerous,” Soviar said.
