Search Underway For Missing Swimmer In Russian River

SONOMA COUNTY, CA — The search for a man who disappeared while swimming on the Russian River entered its third day Friday building on an exhaustive efforts that continued over the July 4 holiday.

According to the Sonoma County Sheriff's Office, a 911 caller said the man had been swimming near Villa Grande when he went missing around 6:15 p.m. Wednesday. Deputies responded to the area with the Sonoma County Fire District to begin an initial search.

The sheriff's office called in its marine unit and volunteer dive team and enlisted help from Monte Rio Fire before suspending the search at nightfall for safety reasons.

The marine unit picked up the search Thursday morning and worked throughout the day with help from the dive team and a Napa County marine unit equipped with a remote underwater vehicle. The search effort paused Thursday night and resumed at sunrise Friday with more assistance from the Napa County Sheriff's Office.

Sonoma County officials said more updates on the operation would be shared as they become available.