Deputy at the right spot to save man swimming in Lake Yosemite

A 25-year-old man who was in danger of drowning at Lake Yosemite was saved by a Merced County sheriff's deputy during the holiday weekend.

According to the sheriff's department, Deputy Erick Macias swam to the man's rescue July 4, after the man had apparently swum about 50 yards from the shore.

Macias and Deputy Delray Shelton were on foot patrol around 5:45 p.m., when they noticed a group of people at the lake's main beach area, yelling for help, according to Deputy Ed Katen, sheriff's spokesman.

After spotting the man, Macias removed his equipment and entered the water. After Macias reached the panicking man, however, the deputy was pulled under the water several times. Macias was finally able to grab the man around his body and hoist him above water, allowing the man to catch his breath, Katen said. "I told him 'relax. I'm going to help you out,'" Shelton said.

With Shelton's help, Macias moved the man to shallow water. The man was breathing on his own, and refused medical treatment after an ambulance arrived, Katen said.

The man thanked the deputies after he was brought to shore, Macias said.

Macias, 24, has been on the department's dive and rescue team for about six months. Although some would consider him a hero, he's very humble about the experience. "I am happy he made it out of here, but of course, that's my job, what I was trained to do and what I've been asked to do," said Macias. "Any other deputy in the sheriff's department would have done so as well."

Deputies said the man had swum past safety lines in the lake, which are in place to warn swimmers not to go past a designated area.

Katen said Macias will be recognized by the department for his actions.

Sheriff Mark Pazin said he's also proud of Macias, who reacted quickly to the situation without hesitation. "Fortunately, Deputy Macias happened to be at the right place at the right time," Pazin said.

Pazin said the incident is also a reminder to residents about the importance of water safety, whether it's a "standard pool or Lake Yosemite." He said swimming at the lake can be particularly dangerous because there are areas where the water's depth can drop instantly.

Macias has been a deputy with the Merced County Sheriff's Department for two years.

Reporter Victor A. Patton can be reached at (209) 385-2431 or vpatton@mercedsun-star.com.