Placer sheriff’s dive team finds body of father who drowned in American River trying to save son

The Placer County sheriff’s dive team located the body of a father who drowned Sunday after jumping into the American River to save his son.

On Monday afternoon, deputies announced that they had recovered the body of Zabiullah Haliqyar, 38, the Placer County Sheriff’s Office said in a social media post. Deputies said Haliqyar was located downstream from the No Hands Bridge where he was last seen.

“We extend our thoughts and prayers to the family impacted by this tragedy,” the announcement said.

About 11:40 a.m. Sunday, the Sheriff’s Office received a report that Haliqyar had gone under the water and had not resurfaced by the bridge, about a mile northeast of Auburn, on the north fork of the American River.

Family members told deputies Haliqyar jumped into the river after his son, who was struggling in the water.

Another man, who was not with the family, also jumped into the river to help and brought the child back to shore. Sheriff’s officials said the boy was taken to a hospital and was expected to be OK.