Man who died swimming at Modesto Reservoir identified. He was the third in past 10 days

The man who died while swimming in the Modesto Reservoir on Saturday has been identified by the Stanislaus County Coroner’s Office as Modesto resident Antonio Aguilar, 30.

At about 12:20 p.m., a 911 call was received reporting a swimmer in distress. Deputies with the Stanislaus County Sheriff’s Office found him underwater less than 10 minutes later.

Aguilar was taken to shore. CPR was performed by deputies until a medical team arrived and took over lifesaving measures. Aguilar was taken to Doctors Medical Center, where he was pronounced dead.

Deaths becoming more frequent at Modesto Reservoir

Aguilar was the third person to die at the Modesto Reservoir in 10 days.

Hughson resident Michael Sorensen, 63, died after his tandem kayak capsized June 29. Sorensen was taken to shore and given CPR, but died. He was not wearing a life vest, according to the Sheriff’s Office.

Then on July 2, Emerson Garcia-Arredondo of Oakland was visiting the reservoir with family members, who said they last saw him struggling to stay afloat and yelling for help. Garcia-Arredondo slipped underwater and was not seen alive again. His body was found about two and a half hours later.

Officials have stressed the importance of wearing a life vest while swimming in any local waters. At the Modesto Reservoir, life vests are available for free to any visitor who requests them. The life jackets are provided at the marina.

“Deaths from drowning are preventable tragedies that can affect anyone in, on or around the water,” read a statement on the Stanislaus County Department of Parks and Recreation website. “Wearing a life jacket is a simple lifesaving technique the even strong swimmers should utilize.”