A sunny outing at Lake Oroville turned terrifying on Sunday when two young children were found face down in the water near the Nelson Bar boat ramp, then brought back by quick-thinking adults on shore.
The 4-year-old girl and 2-year-old boy were pulled from the lake and resuscitated by their mother and a passing bystander before emergency crews arrived. Both children were later taken to a hospital in Chico for treatment.
According to the East Bay Times, California State Parks Capt. Todd Jones said the children were conscious and breathing by the time state parks personnel made it to the scene. Butte County EMS and Cal Fire-Butte County medics treated the kids at the ramp, then routed them to Enloe Medical Center in Chico, the outlet reported. State Parks described the incident as a non-fatal drowning.
Where it happened
The emergency unfolded at the Nelson Bar car-top boat launch on the west branch of Lake Oroville, a popular access point for kayakers, swimmers and small boats. The California Department of Water Resources identifies Nelson Bar as a shallow, gravel launch where water levels and shoreline access can shift quickly as reservoir operations change.
How the rescue unfolded
Capt. Jones told the East Bay Times that the children’s mother and a good Samaritan immediately started CPR at the ramp. State Parks personnel did not provide patient care at the scene. Cal Fire medics and county ambulance crews then took over, continued treatment and transported the children to Enloe Medical Center for further evaluation.
Why it matters
Drowning remains one of the deadliest everyday risks for young kids, and what happens in those first few minutes can mean everything. The CDC reports that drowning is the leading cause of unintentional injury death for children ages 1 to 4 and urges constant adult supervision around water, use of life jackets near open water and early swim lessons.
Officials have not released any further updates on the children’s conditions. In the wake of the scare, local agencies are again urging boaters and families to use personal flotation devices and keep very close watch on small children around reservoirs, launch ramps and shorelines.
