SACRAMENTO (KCBS RADIO) – The three Oakland men who drowned in the Sacramento delta on Sunday are now having money raised by their family to send their bodies to Guatemala, according to reporting by KTVU.
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Edwin "Guistillo" Rivas, 57, Edwin Perez, 22, and Danilo Gutierrez, 40, were on a fishing trip with friends near the Three Miles Slough Bridge when they jumped into the water with two others to rescue an 8-year-old boy, identified as Rivas' nephew.
Two of the men and the boy were able to reach safety, but Rivas, Edwin and Gutierrez were not found. Emergency personnel, including the Rio Vista Fire Department and the Coast Guard assisted in the search, which was quickly turned into a recovery operation after it became more likely the three had drowned.
Their bodies were found Tuesday evening, according to a post by Rio Vista Fire.
"While we wish the outcome of this incident was very different, we continue to hope for healing and closure for the family and friends of those lost," said the post.
"Far too many lives have been lost in our waterways and in the lakes and rivers of Northern California over the past few weeks," the post continued. "We urge residents and visitors to wear proper life vests when in the water, and to consider life vests for children and young adults while on the shore. The currents of the Sacramento River and its tributaries are strong and unpredictable."
Now the victims' families and loved ones are raising money on GoFundMe to try to send their bodies back to their native Guatemala. According to the page, organized by Rivas' daughter, Wendy, their goal is to raise $15,000 for each man.
"Both of the funeral expenses but mainly the sending of the bodies that, together with the family and friends of the deceased, has the mission of sending them to their country and we wholeheartedly appreciate all the support that has been received since the moment they disappeared," said the GoFundMe description.
So far, more than $31,000 of the $45,000 goal has been raised.
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