Body found in water near US-Mexico border during storm

A gas station attendant walks past gas pumps on a flooded street, Tuesday, Feb. 6, 2024, in Lakeside, Calif. A rare tornado warning was briefly issued for parts of San Diego County, including Lakeside. (AP Photo/Denis Poroy)

SAN DIEGO – Firefighters and lifeguards helped recover a body floating in the water near the Tijuana River not far from the US-Mexico border yesterday, and later rescued two people stuck on the south San Diego River bank as rain continued to pelt the San Diego area.

At about 1:20 a.m. Tuesday, US Customs and Border Protection asked the San Diego Fire-Rescue Department for help with a body floating in the water near Dairy Mart Road and Camino de la Plaza, according to Mónica Muñoz, SDFD media services manager.

Engine 29 responded from the South Bay as well as pre-positioned lifeguard teams, Muñoz said. The crews were able to recover the body and bring it to the boat launch area.

The victim was pronounced dead at the scene and turned over to San Diego police.

The San Diego County Medical Examiner’s Office will determine cause of death and whether it was storm-related, Muñoz said. Also Tuesday, lifeguard teams rescued two people who were stuck on the south San Diego River bank near 8865 Rio San Diego Drive at about 2 a.m., Muñoz said.

“Lifeguard rescue teams were able to access the victims using a rescue boat,” she said. “The victims were transported to shore in the boat by lifeguards. Firefighters performed medical assessments. Neither patient was transported and crews cleared the scene.”

Lifeguard swift-water rescue crews will remain in the field Tuesday for the expected rain event, Muñoz said. (CNS)