2 Boys Die In Electrocution Near Dixon

DIXON, CA — Two teen-aged boys who were electrocuted and died Monday in a tragic incident while trying to rescue a dog from a canal near Dixon were identified by the Solano County Sheriff-Coroner's Office as 17-year-old Jacob Hourmouzus of Elk Grove and 17-year-old Jacob Schneider of Dixon, a sheriff's spokesman said Tuesday afternoon.

Just prior to the incident, the boys — both students at Dixon High School — were walking with two other teenagers, a boy and a girl, and a dog at about 12:20 p.m. Monday alongside a Solano Irrigation District canal off of Dixon Avenue, west of Interstate Highway 80, Solano County sheriff's Deputy Cully Pratt said in a news release.

"During their walk, two of the teenagers and the dog began walking across a metal walking bridge that spanned approximately 25 feet across the SID canal," Pratt said. "For unknown reasons, the dog jumped or fell from the bridge into the SID canal."

The two Jacobs then jumped into the canal in an attempt to save the dog, Ranger, the sheriff's spokesman said. As the pair grabbed Ranger, they reached up to the metal bridge to keep from being pulled farther down the canal.

"When doing so, witness reports state the two teenage boys appeared to have been electrocuted and unable to release their grip from the metal bridge," Pratt said.

When the third boy realized what was happening he also jumped into canal, ultimately knocking both teenagers off the bridge and pulling them and the dog out of the canal and onto the side of the levee, where the girl called 911, Pratt said.

Fire personnel, including the Dixon Fire Department, soon arrived and "began immediate life-saving efforts on the two boys," Pratt said.

Both boys were transported —one by CHP helicopter and the other by ambulance — to the trauma center at Kaiser Permanente Medical Center in Vacaville.

"Unfortunately, all life-saving measures were unsuccessful and both teenage boys were pronounced deceased," Pratt said.

PG&E personnel soon also arrived on scene and "quickly deactivated power to the energized bridge, making the site safe for investigators," according to Pratt.

Investigators from both the sheriff's office and the Solano County District Attorney’s Office are continuing to investigate the tragic event to determine how the bridge became energized.

"Our thoughts and prayers go out to the families of everyone affected by this tragedy," Solano County Thomas Ferrara said Tuesday. "The Solano County Sheriff’s Office will continue to search for answers as to how this incident happened."

Sadly, Patch initially confirmed the two fatalities Monday evening with a Dixon Police Department dispatcher who said the Dixon Fire Department was dispatched to the incident that occurred outside of city limits.

CHP's Golden Gate Division Air Operations also confirmed the deaths Monday, as one of its crews was among emergency personnel who responded to the initial report of two teenagers found unresponsive in a field.

"Unfortunately, the outcome was one that no first responder or parent wants to have," CHP said in a statement posted to Facebook. "After attempting all lifesaving measures available to use in the prehospital setting, both teenagers were pronounced deceased at Kaiser Vacaville."

Both boys were students at Dixon High School, Principal Stephanie Marquez said Monday night in a statement posted to Facebook:

"Good evening Dixon High School families. It is with a heavy heart that I write this post. Today, two of our students passed away after a tragic accident. While we are not at liberty to discuss details or specifics, we are absolutely here to support all of our students. Tomorrow, we will have mental health clinicians for any of our students in need beginning at 10:00 at the district office. Again, counseling services will be available beginning at 10:00 tomorrow morning at the district office, which is at 180 south first street. Of course, students and parents are also welcome to reach out to any DHS administrator by email or phone any time, for any reason. With love, respect, and sorrow,Stephanie Marquez"

The Solano County Sheriff's Office said Tuesday that Ranger the dog survived the incident.

"Per the family and representatives from the Aggie Animal Clinic ... 'Ranger' was treated for its injuries, which were undisclosed," Pratt said. "Ranger was released to its family in good health earlier this morning."