On
The search consisted of 21 water searchers which included 2 Jet Ski teams, 2
Boat teams and several Kayak/Carlson board teams.
At approximately 11:30 AM a boating team noticed a gasoline smell
emitting from the water approximately 1/2 mile north of the reported crash site
(down stream). The searchers began to probe the water and located a
vehicle submerged approximately 4-6 feet beneath the water.
Search divers entered the water and were able to feel what they believed to be
a person inside of the vehicle. Visibility was extremely poor and divers
noted the vehicle was encased in a large amount of sediment from the river
current.
Recovery efforts continued for several hours and at approximately
Searchers subsequently recovered the bodies of Sandeep Thottapilly and
Saachi Thottapilly from inside the vehicle.
On
Autopsies are expected to be performed this week as part of the Coroner's
investigation into the incident.
Another search operation will be conducted on
The Mendocino County Sheriff's Office would like to thank the following public
safety agencies who assisted in the 04-15-2018 search:
Marin County Fire Department
Southern Marin Fire Department
Kentfield Fire District
Hopland Fire Department
Rescue Solutions
Piercy Volunteer Fire Department
Leggett Volunteer Fire Department
Humboldt County Sheriff's Office
Humboldt County Search & Rescue
Napa County Search & Rescue
Southern Humboldt Technical Rescue Team
Little Lake Fire District
Mendocino County Search & Rescue
CalFire
California Highway Patrol
Graton Fire Department
Santa Rosa Fire Department
Sonoma Valley Fire Department
Shasta County Sheriff's Office
Shasta County Search & Rescue