A Merced man drowned Friday morning while fishing at Courtright Reservoir, according to the Fresno County Sheriff’s Office.

Deputies identified the victim as Matthias Aguilar, 35.

Shortly before 8 a.m., dispatchers received a report of an unresponsive man who had been pulled from the water.

Authorities learned Aguilar was fishing in a kayak near Marmot Rock Campground.

Investigators say he lost his balance and fell off the kayak into the water.

He was wearing heavy clothing and boots but no life jacket. Witnesses told deputies he tried to swim to shore but went underwater and resurfaced about two minutes later.

Friends managed to bring him to shore and attempted CPR until medics and deputies arrived.

A SkyLife helicopter also responded, but Aguilar died before it arrived.

The Sheriff’s Office is urging the public to follow water safety guidelines, including wearing a U.S. Coast Guard-approved life jacket, avoiding alcohol, swimming only if trained, and remaining cautious of cold water, sudden drop-offs, and underwater debris.

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