Bodies Of 3 Men Recovered From Three-Mile Slough

RIO VISTA, CA — The bodies of three adults who went into the waters of the Three-Mile Slough on Sunday to rescue a child were recovered Tuesday following a multi-day search effort involving personnel from several public agencies.

The Rio Vista Fire Department initially responded around 1:30 p.m. Sunday to a report of four people who needed to be rescued from the water at Brannan Island State Recreation Area near the Three-Mile Slough Bridge (Highway 160).

Personnel with California State Parks and the U.S. Coast Guard also responded, and the child was able to make it to shore but the three adults remained missing after hours of searching, the fire department said.

The incident transitioned Sunday evening to a "recovery mission" and Rio Vista Fire Department resources were released from the scene.

However, Rio Vista FD reengaged Monday and Tuesday to help law enforcement with the search.

"While not your typical fire department mission, we have a unique watercraft that is able to assist in this capacity and operate close to shore," the fire department said in a news release. "Knowing that resources in the area are limited, and that finding the missing individuals was important for closure of those impacted, the Fire Chief authorized the additional involvement of Rio Vista Fire personnel."

By Tuesday evening, Rio Vista FD personnel assisted law enforcement, including from the Solano County and Sacramento County sheriff's offices, with the recovery of the three bodies.

The family and friends of the three men who died, who hailed from Guatemala but lived in Oakland, identified them as Edwin Rivas, Edwin Perez and Danilo Gutierrez, according to a GoFundMe campaign set up to help pay for funeral expenses and to repatriate them to their home country for burial.

The GoFundMe campaign had raised more than $6,000 as of Wednesday evening.

"While we wish the outcome of this incident was very different, we continue to hope for healing and closure for the family and friends of those lost," Rio Vista FD said. "Far too many lives have been lost in our waterways and in the lakes and rivers of Northern California over the past few weeks. We urge residents and visitors to wear proper life vests when in the water, and to consider life vests for children and young adults while on the shore. The currents of the Sacramento River and its tributaries are strong and unpredictable."

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Bay City News Service contributed to this report.