ALPINE COUNTY, Calif. – The Alpine County Sheriff’s Office is reporting a drowning in the Mesa Vista area of the county. On Sunday, January 19, 2025 at approximately 2:45 p.m., deputies and emergency medical services were dispatched to the home for a reported drowning. Upon arrival they found a 66-year-old man unresponsive in a bathtub.
The deceased male has been identified as Dr. Michael Schankerman, a former emergency medicine specialist at Barton Health. He retired from Barton in 2019.
Personnel removed Dr. Schankerman from the bathtub and immediately attempted advanced life-saving interventions. EMS and deputies attempted to resuscitate him for almost 45 minutes. Unfortunately, the measures were unsuccessful and Dr. Schankerman was pronounced deceased at 3:33 p.m.
The next of kin has been notified. This is an ongoing investigation an no other information is available at this time.
The Alpine County Sheriff’s Office sends their heartfelt condolences to Dr. Schankerman’s family, friends, colleagues, and neighbors.