SHASTA COUNTY, Calif. (Jun. 23, 2026) — An 87-year-old Oregon man died after suffering a medical emergency while swimming in Shasta Lake on Monday afternoon, authorities said.
Deputies with the Shasta County Sheriff’s Office Boating Safety Unit responded at approximately 4:23 p.m. to the Shoemaker Creek area in the Big Backbone Inlet following reports of a swimmer in distress.
According to the sheriff’s office, Alvin Eatinger, 87, of Ashland, was swimming near a houseboat when he became unresponsive and went underwater. Bystanders at the scene pulled him from the water and immediately began providing medical aid.
Deputies arrived shortly afterward and assisted with lifesaving efforts until emergency medical personnel reached the scene.
Eatinger was transported to a local hospital, where he was later pronounced dead.
Authorities said the decedent has been positively identified, and his next of kin have been notified. A postmortem examination is scheduled as part of the investigation.
No additional details regarding the cause of the medical emergency were immediately available.
The Shasta County Sheriff’s Office reminded the public to prioritize safety while recreating on local waterways, urging boaters and swimmers to carry proper safety equipment and wear personal flotation devices whenever possible.
The incident remains under investigation.
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