The Nevada County Sheriff’s Office has confirmed the recovery of a California teenager’s body, following his disappearance after a swim in the icy Truckee River over the weekend.
Authorities commenced the search for 19-year-old Brian Gallardo on Saturday when he went missing beneath the waters near Floriston, California.
In a collaborative effort with multiple agencies, the Nevada County Sheriff’s Office deployed K9 units, drones, helicopters, swimmers, and ground search teams to locate Gallardo. His body was eventually discovered on Monday by divers from the Washoe County Sheriff’s Office.
“The Nevada County Sheriff’s Office acknowledges this tragedy as a significant loss of a young life, and extends its condolences to his family and friends,” the office stated.
“Drowning incidents are particularly devastating, occurring swiftly and leaving a profound impact on the families, first responders, and the community,” the statement added.
The river was experiencing strong currents because of excessive snowmelt runoff, with water temperatures plummeting to around 44 degrees, as reported by KCRA 3.
Authorities encouraged the public to use caution when swimming in water ways, and underscored that the current river conditions are fast, cold and dangerous.
The 19-year-old from Petaluma was described as “charismatic, ambitious, kind, and deeply loved by those who knew him,” according to a GoFundMe page posted Gallardo’s girlfriend’s mother.
“He had goals he wanted to achieve, which were sadly cut short by this tragic event. This untimely tragedy has left us heartbroken and searching for ways to support each other through this difficult time,” the post went on to read.
Photos show Gallardo smiling alongside his girlfriend at the river just moments before the tragedy.
The GoFundMe has raised nearly $7,000 of its $12,000 goal to help cover the funeral costs and provide support for Gallardo’s family.
