[Update 3:36 p.m.] Rescuers Responding to Holmes Flat for Possible Drowning

Emergency personnel are responding to the report of a possible drowning at the low bridge across Eel River near Holmes Flat at approximately 2 p.m.

The hot temperatures have brought swimmers out to area rivers and swimming holes are reportedly packed. The river is relatively high and swift.

UPDATE 2:11 p.m.: Access from Tierney Road, according to scanner traffic.

UPDATE 2:13 p.m.: “Patient is still in the water,” reports the Incident Commander. The Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office is en route with a boat.

Update 2:14 p.m.: A 61-year-old male (according to family, he was in his thirties) who has been in the water 25 minutes about 10 feet from shore, according to an update on the scanner.

UPDATE 2:31 p.m.: The victim can’t be located. The rescuers have now requested a helicopter from the Coast Guard to fly the river looking for him.

UPDATE 2:39 p.m.: The Incident Commander is reporting now that it is approaching 60 minutes since the victim was last seen.

UPDATE 2:49 p.m.: A helicopter is being dispatched from Kneeland.

UPDATE 2:54 p.m.: Cal Fire helicopter #102 is the one being dispatched.

UPDATE 3:21 p.m.: The helicopter is now searching the area. Photo from a resident.

heli searching for drowning victim
UPDATE 3:24 p.m.: “The victim has been located by copter,” reports the Incident Commander.

UPDATE 3:36 p.m.: The coroner has been requested.

UPDATE Monday: Press release from the Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office: See also this story, Local Man Dies Heroically Trying to Save Kids.

On Sunday, June 5, 2016, at about 1:40 p.m., the Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office received a report of a possible drowning in the Eel River near the Holmes Flat area. Deputies responded to the area along with Cal Fire, Redcrest Volunteer Fire Department, Southern Humboldt Technical Rescue, HCSO Special Services, and a Cal Fire helicopter. At the time of the report it was stated Timothy Hatten, 33, of Fortuna, had been underwater for approximately twenty-five minutes. Special Services Deputies were eventually able to locate and recover Hatten’s body approximately two hours later. Hatten’s body was later turned over to the Coroner’s Office.

The Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office would like to remind the public of the dangers of swimming in rivers in Humboldt County. River currents can change quickly, sometimes daily, or even by the minute. This combined with unknown and quickly changing depths of the river can be deadly. Very hot and humid days combined with low water temperatures in late spring and early fall can lead to quick cramps. Every year, Humboldt County experiences a tragic death due to swimming in the rivers and falling victim to a strong current.

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34 Comments
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Dennis l
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Dennis l
7 years ago

Sad news prayers for the man’s family.

Humanityfirst
Guest
Humanityfirst
7 years ago

🙁

G-ma
Guest
G-ma
7 years ago

So sad.bad time to be in the waters.prayers to the family’s.

Marie
Guest
Marie
7 years ago

I lived in Holmes as a child and know the river area by the bluffs is VERY deep…it is deceiving and dangerous…I am so sorry for the family. Prayers.

Marc
Guest
Marc
7 years ago
Reply to  Marie

This was just up river from us, the helicopter was flying up and down the river by our house, the river has really changed this year, deeper , narrow, channels, and the flow seems a little higher than normal this time of year,, the wAter is absolutely beautiful, but the currents are a lot faster than they look,, sad this happened, right in our back yard, feeling so hopeless, wish there was something we could have done, sorry to the families that lost there loved one!!

Same haircut different decade
Guest
Same haircut different decade
7 years ago
Reply to  Marc

Shoot I remember just in 2009 my dog got swept up in a June rain ..river was still high. But yes, the underbelly changes every year and the rocks are pushed around on top of the bed. Can be very decieving
. I always take a stick cuz even if I think it is the same is may not be as years past. The eel is alive.

Diana Bailey
Guest
Diana Bailey
7 years ago
Reply to  Marc

He saved my boys a true hero

DER
Guest
DER
7 years ago

This is a little confusing. They know his age. Someone was there looking at him when he was 10 feet off the shore for 25 minutes. I wonder why they didn’t grab him. And now they can’t find him. Poor guy.

James
Guest
James
7 years ago
Reply to  Kym Kemp

How do I contact KYM for info I have on the drowning Sunday ?

Lola
Guest
Lola
7 years ago
Reply to  Kym Kemp

Timmy. Hatten is a hero he is my son in law he drowned rescucing 2 kids [edit] lola

kathryn brewer
Guest
kathryn brewer
7 years ago
Reply to  Lola

Hi, Timmy is my cousin, do you know if there will be a Memorial service for him? When and where? I would love to come.

Brandi Hatten
Guest
Brandi Hatten
7 years ago
Reply to  Kym Kemp

Thank you all for your prayers in our time of need. That mans name was Timothy Hatten who was 33 not 61 and he was my baby brother. His other older sister and I would like to know if anyone knows if the children that my brother gave his life for lived or not? So if anyone knows please post it so can know. Were very lost,empty, and numb still. However even in our sad and bad time in our lives we all want to know how the children are. Thank You

Brandi Hatten
Guest
Brandi Hatten
7 years ago
Reply to  Kym Kemp

Thank you we would like that. His other sister and I needed to know that our brothers death wasnt in vain. When we heard that our brother had died saving those children we both were we’ll did they live. So thank you any info is very helpful

kathryn brewer
Guest
kathryn brewer
7 years ago
Reply to  Brandi Hatten

Hi do you know where Pearl’s at? I’m there cousin.

Lisa
Guest
Lisa
7 years ago
Reply to  DER

Besides that every emergency class I’ve ever taken tells you NOT to try to grab the victim so they aren’t looking for two victims.

DER
Guest
DER
7 years ago
Reply to  Lisa

I think that would be true if the person were struggling but that doesn’t sound like the case.

Diana Bailey
Guest
Diana Bailey
7 years ago
Reply to  DER

My 12yr old he saved was not three feet away but currents wouldnt let him help he did stuggle but nothing could have been done so sad glad my boys r safe timmy is our hero im at a loss for words

Julia
Guest
Julia
7 years ago
Reply to  DER

They found him 10feet from where he started to drown the water pulled him under an his 18year old step son was going to save him but he told him to go get the other kid

d
Guest
d
7 years ago

He was a hero saving kids

j
Guest
j
7 years ago

Yes this was my bother in-law he jumped after two kids Timmy hatten a hero

Donna dale
Guest
Donna dale
7 years ago
Reply to  j

So sorry for your family. Prayers for your comfort and peace. A hero indeed.

Martha Taylor
Guest
Martha Taylor
7 years ago
Reply to  j

how old was he my cousin’s name was Timmy Hatton and he is in his 30’s

Linda Hatten Broyles
Guest
Linda Hatten Broyles
7 years ago
Reply to  Martha Taylor

His name is Tim Hatten he 33 he from RioDell

Martha Taylor
Guest
Martha Taylor
7 years ago
Reply to  j

That young man was my cousin he mom was my first cousin this is sad to all of us. What a hero may God have him now.

Bigmeat707
Guest
Bigmeat707
7 years ago

Use to swim down there all the time as a kid. Sad news.

trackback

[…] a family’s camping trip to the Holmes area ended tragically with the drowning of Timothy Hatten, age 35 of Fortuna. This morning we spoke to Lola Crothers, his mother-in-law, who told the story […]

Jacob
Guest
7 years ago

We are so sorry, Oasis of Hope Children family is praying for the family and friends for the loss!

Jacob
Guest
7 years ago

We are very sorry for the loss, Oasis of Hope Children family is praying for you and your family

margaret johnson
Guest
margaret johnson
7 years ago

Timmy will never be forgotten. He will be missed.

kathryn brewer
Guest
kathryn brewer
7 years ago

Timmy is my cousin, yes he struggled growing up was a bad boy for a while, but then he grew up to become a wonderful son, brother,husband, father. I love him and will miss him so. Rest in peace my cousin Timmy you are loved by many and will be missed ♡♡♡