Woman drowns while rafting on American River near Kyburz

A San Francisco woman died on the South Fork of the American River near Kyburz while rafting on Saturday, July 9.

Elaine Yi Mau, 32, was camping at the China Flat Campground with friends when they took rafts into the nearby river. At 4:09 p.m., the El Dorado County Sheriff's Office was told of a rafting accident involving Mau. She had been on a raft with someone who fell off, and when he surfaced, Mau was gone.

South Lake Tahoe resident John McDougall was camping in the spot next to the group of Bay Area friends. He said Friday night was full of fun energy at China Flat Campground, but was very somber on Saturday night. Search and Rescue, CAL FIRE, El Dorado County Fre and Sheriff's deputies came to the area, along with a helicopter that swept through the canyon.

After about 45 minutes of helicopter sweeps, Mau's body was located McDougall said. They found her submerged in a section of very heavy rapids, and a recovery effort was started.

At 6:00 p.m., the victim was removed from the water and pronounced deceased by paramedics.

McDougall said the river is fairly calm right next to the campground, though fairly rocky. He said the river drops into the nearby canyon quickly, and it becomes dangerous to rafters.

He said there is no cell coverage at campground and someone in the group of campers drove to a spot two miles away to call for help.

The accident is under investigation by the El Dorado County Sheriff’s Office Boating Safety Unit and by the Coroner’s office. At this time it has not been determined if the victim was wearing a life jacket at the time of the accident.

- South Tahoe Now staff report