Delta rescue saves three stranded jet skiers

By Matthias Gafni
East County Times
Article Launched: 05/15/2008 10:15:20 AM PDT



A sheriff's helicopter rescued three men who were stranded in the Delta tules Wednesday night after one of their Jet Skis sank and the other had a mechanical malfunction, a sheriff's official said.
Three men — ages 28, 43 and 55 — left a Pittsburg marina around 5:30 p.m. on two Jet Skis, taking advantage of the warm evening, Contra Costa Sheriff's spokesman Jimmy Lee said. When they didn't return by 9:30 p.m., the sheriff's office was contacted and dispatched its helicopter, he said.
Within about 15 minutes, although dark, the helicopter found the three men just north of Brown Island, stuck in the water in a patch of tules, Lee said. The helicopter lit the men with a high-powered spotlight until a sheriff's marine patrol rescued them, Lee said. None of the men had injuries.
"This was just one of those situations where it worked out perfectly," Lee said. "They had been in the water for four hours, so it could've gotten bad quickly."
One of the Jet Skis was towed back to shore, while the second one sank, he said.
Reach Matthias Gafni at 925-779-7174 or mgafni@bayareanewsgroup.com.




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