By Cathy Locke and Kim Minugh
clocke@sacbee.com
Sacramento Fire Department officials have called off the search for the body of an 18-year-old West Sacramento man who drowned in the Sacramento River late Saturday afternoon near Eighth Avenue and Santa Buena Way.
A family member identified the man as Diro Lee. Michelle Augustine said Lee was her nephew and the family is distressed that the body has not been recovered.
Sacramento fire Capt. David Dolson said that searches failed to locate Lee's body and officials are waiting for the body to surface. In fresh-water drownings, he said, this can take some time, depending on physiological processes, the water's flow and any debris in the river that might prevent the body from floating to the surface.
"This is the process of how bodies are recovered from the river," Dolson said. "This is all we can do at this point in time."
Fire officials said Saturday that Lee was among a group of six people taking turns using a rope swing to plunge into the river. About 5:45 p.m. Saturday, Lee went into the water, surfaced, shouted and then went underwater again, witnesses said.
Call The Bee's Cathy Locke, (916) 321-5287.
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