Two Water-Related Incidents At Cleo’s Bath

Tuolumne County Sheriff's Office

Pinecrest, CA– A 28-year-old man died over the weekend in an apparent drowning incident at Cleo’s Bath, and another person is missing in a separate incident, prompting a response from emergency officials and a community plea for water safety awareness.

One incident occurred around 10:15 a.m. Sunday when Sheriff’s Deputies responded to a call about a hiker who slipped and fell into the water above a waterfall at Cleo’s Bath. Despite extensive efforts involving the Tuolumne Sheriff’s Office Search and Rescue team, a CalFire helicopter, California Fish and Wildlife, and U.S. Forest Service personnel, the turbulent conditions prevented rescuers from accessing the area on foot or by dive teams. The recreator remains missing.

Additionally on Sunday around 5:45 p.m., the Tuolumne County Sheriff’s Office Dispatch Center received a 911 call reporting a swimmer in distress near the buoy line of the designated swim area. The victim, identified as Luis Alberto Jaco of Huntington Park was found in the water. Bystanders managed to pull Jacob to the shoreline and initiated CPR until medical personnel arrived. Despite efforts to revive him, Jacob tragically died at the scene.

Authorities continue to advise caution in recreational activities around Pinecrest Lake and the surrounding areas, emphasizing the unpredictable nature of water currents.