A man and a child are dead after an incident that occurred in the Whitewater River, just west of Palm Springs on Monday.
Authorities were called to an area near the 10 Freeway and Tipton Road at 1:17 pm, according to KESQ. A man was located and brought to an island in the water. His body was then airlifted out of the river.
#Whitewater Update: with the assistance from @PalmSpringsPD, @CALFIRERRU, and Palm Springs Fire Dept., a deceased adult male was located
— Riverside County Sheriff PIO-East (@RSOPIOEast) September 3, 2018
The boy was rescued and was taken to the hospital. The Press Enterprise reports that the 7-year-old died at Desert Regional Medical Center.
The man was identified as David Martinez-Garcia, 41, of San Bernardino, and the boy as David Martinez by The Riverside County Coroner’s Office.
It is illegal to swim in the Whitewater River. Police warn that water can flow at speeds of about 25 miles per hour.
