RENO, NV - Members of the Washoe County Hasty Team along with Reno and Sparks fire crews are searching the Truckee River from the Sutro Street bridge to Lockwood, as they search for a man who may have drowned Sunday night.
51-year-old William Clark was climbing a tree near the bridge when he fell into the river Sunday evening shortly before 6:30. A friend he was with says he is homeless, and no one has reported seeing him since he fell in the river.
Clark is considered a missing endangered person, since he hasn't been found.
He is white, 5'8" and 155 pounds, with grey hair and brown eyes. He was wearing a grey, brown and blue jacket with blue pants.
Anyone having information relating to this incident should contact the Reno Police Department at 334-2115, Secret Witness at 322-4900, www.secretwitness.com, or you can text the tip to 847411 (TIP 411) keyword – SW.
The Truckee River is flowing at 1600 cubic feet per second. During Sunday night's search, the flow was 4400 cubic feet per second. Flows are expected to fall throughout the day. The average river flow this time of the year is 400 cubic feet per second.
The Reno Fire Department and the Sparks Fire Department would like to remind the community of the dangers of the Truckee River during this time of year. The swift water flow can carry a person away quickly, and the temperature of the water will quickly lead to hypothermia, which can incapacitate anyone who ventures into or falls into the river, overcoming swimming skills and ultimately leading to drowning. Hypothermia occurs when the body’s core temperature is dramatically lowered. Among other results, there is a loss of strength and muscular coordination as well as mental confusion and often erratic behavior.
With higher water and faster flow, the Reno and Sparks Fire Departments say there is also an increased hazard from debris that is washed into the river and, often unseen, can strike someone, causing them to lose their footing in the swift water or render them unconscious.