Cathy Perfect
Kern Valley Sun

A 24-year-old Pomona man, who drowned July 3 in Isabella Lake near Tillie Creek in Wofford Heights was identified Monday afternoon by a family member as Vitelio Ramon Ramirez.  Speaking for the family, Alma Delcano said, "He was a very pleasant, quiet, and bright young man. Friends and family members are so shocked."

Ramirez was swimming with a group of four people, three of them minors, just off shore. Jacob (last name unknown) and Anthony Flores made it to shore safely and notified an adult who was nearby that, “Someone is drowning!”

Family members at left embrace each as a young man who was swimming barely made it to the shore at Tillie Creek alive. He was transported to Kern Valley Hospital with non-life threatening injuries July 3.

A third juvenile, who had nearly drowned, crawled to shore. Kern County Sheriff's Sgt. Dean Marshall and Deputies were first on the scene and tended to the boy who reportedly had swallowed quite a bit of water but had not lost consciousness, authorities said.

He was transported to Kern Valley Hospital by CARE Ambulance for treatment. At press time, his condition was unknown, but his injuries did not appear to be life-threatening, authorities said.

Meanwhile Lake Patrol Kern River Valley Search and Rescue personnel continued to search for the victim in the area where the younger boys said they saw him go under the water. “He had his arm up,” said Jacob, indicating the man was in trouble.

A group of young people from Bakersfield, in town for the Sheriff’s Activities League Car Show, were surprised the drowning victim was not wearing a life jacket.

“It’s not like there aren’t signs (warning swimmers to wear life jackets) everywhere,” said Leah Hicks, 18. “Maybe they should patrol to make sure everyone is wearing one,” added Jaclyn McDermott, also 18. Darrin Henriksen, 17, added, “He should have been wearing a life jacket.”

Family and friends, crying and comforting each other, watched and waited on the shore, hoping against hope. His body was recovered by the Kern River Valley Search and Rescue team at approximately 2:00 p.m.

The July 3 incident was the second drowning in six days in Isabella Lake. Search and Rescue and other first responders remind people who plan to enter the water or who are simply next to the shore to always wear a life jacket.

“It’s very sad and our hearts go out to the family,” said Brian McCarthy of Mt. Mesa. “But wear a life jacket; it’s as simple as that.”

Funeral services for Ramirez were held last Friday July 10th, Delcano said.