Bay Area deputy drowns while helping kayaker in Lake Tahoe

A deputy from the Contra Costa Sheriff's Office drowned just off the shore of El Dorado Beach in South Lake Tahoe on Thursday as he tried to save a family friend.

30-year-old Carlos Francies was off-duty when he, his girlfriend, sister and a male friend were riding on rented paddle boards and kayaks. While Francies and his girlfriend were on the stand up paddle boards, his sister and the other man were on the type of kayaks that allow one to stand according to the South Lake Tahoe Police Department (SLTPD). They were all about 100 yards off shore at a water depth of about 15 feet in windy conditions. The Red Flag forecast was for 40 mph wind gusts and strong wave action.

Francies' sister was the only person in the party to be wearing a life jacket.

She and her companion were about 50 yards away from Francies when he saw her fall off her kayak from a standing position.

The friend closest to her jumped off his own kayak to assist. While doing so, he kept hold of his paddle as his own kayak had drifted away. After helping Deputy Francie’s sister back aboard her kayak, the man began swimming to retrieve his own kayak. Because he swam while still holding his paddle, it appeared to Deputy Francies from a distance that his friend was in distress.

Deputy Francies responded immediately in an effort to help the friend he believed may be close to drowning. He jumped into the water and began swimming the distance toward his friend. Almost immediately however, only about 20 feet or so from his paddle board, Deputy Francies began to falter and fall into distress himself. He was struggling to stay on the surface and called to his girlfriend, a registered nurse, to toss him the life jacket from her paddle board. She attempted to do so, but was forced to throw against the strong wind. The life jacket fell far short of Deputy Francies. She then jumped into the water to retrieve the life jacket and bring it toward Deputy Francies. While doing so, she could see him begin to sink. She was able to get to him with the life vest before he sank completely, but it appeared he had gone unconscious. Another unidentified citizen arrived to help and they were able to bring Deputy Francies into shallow enough water that they could stand. At this point other people witnessing the event brought a paddle board to them and helped to put Deputy Francies, now fully unconscious, onto the board. His girlfriend began CPR on Deputy Francies who was still on paddle board while making their way to the shore.

At 2:48 p.m., South Lake Tahoe Fire/Medics received the call and arrived to the beach along with SLTPD. When they arrived they were able to assist at the shore.

During the event, Deputy Francies’ friend had made it safely back to his kayak. his sister had fallen once again into the lake while the rescue attempts were being concentrated on Deputy Francie. She was able to get onto her kayak but was struggling to get back to shore against the strong wind. Someone on a motorized personal water craft was able to assist her safely back to shore.

The South Lake Tahoe Police Department recognizes that Deputy Carlos Francies acted heroically in laying down his own life in his attempt to save another here in our city. In a statement, Lt. Brian Williams said they are deeply saddened at the loss of this brave public servant, and extend their deepest condolences to his family, to his agency and to his community.