SF woman drowns in American River

A San Francisco woman died Saturday during a rafting accident in the American River in unincorporated El Dorado County, sheriff’s officials said.

Around 4 p.m., sheriff’s deputies received a call reporting an accident on the South Fork of the American River near the community of Kyburz, sheriff’s officials said.

The caller said several people had been in inner tubes on the river. After going through a section of rapids, the group realized that one person was missing, according to sheriff’s officials.

Deputies, along with firefighters from Cal Fire and the El Dorado County Fire Protection District responded and immediately began searching for the victim.

About 45 minutes later, authorities located the female victim submerged in a section of heavy rapids. The victim was taken from the river and pronounced dead.

She has been identified as 32-year-old Elaine Yi Mau.

Sheriff’s officials have not yet determined whether Mau was wearing a life jacket and are continuing to investigate the incident.