Rescue Divers Recover Body of Missing Swimmer From Truckee River
Authorities detail multi-agency search efforts and renew river safety warnings following the teen’s drowning.
Nevada County Search and Rescue’s Incident Command coordinated a multi-agency search effort. Credit: Nevada County Sheriff’s Office.
TRUCKEE — Nevada County search-and-rescue teams located Brian Marcellino Gallardo yesterday after a three-day search. The 19-year-old from Petaluma disappeared while swimming in the Truckee River near Floriston.
Brian Marcellino Gallardo entered the water around 3 PM near Interstate 80 Exit 199. Gallardo swam with friends but was swept away by strong currents, with the water temperature being approximately 44 degrees.
Search operations began immediately and continued through March 22 and March 23. Teams used K9 units, drones, helicopters, swift water rescue specialists, rescue swimmers, and ground searchers on foot. The Nevada County Sheriff’s Office and Sheriff’s Search and Rescue Team, Washoe County Sheriff’s Office, El Dorado County Sheriff’s Office, Placer County Sheriff’s Office, Truckee Police, Truckee Fire, CalFIRE, California Highway Patrol Air Ops, Trauma Intervention Program of Northern Nevada, Inc., Union Pacific Railroad, and the California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services all collaborated in search efforts.
Washoe County Sheriff’s Office divers found the body of Gallardo about half a mile downstream from the entry point on March 23. Officials determined the cause of death as drowning.
River conditions remained fast-moving, cold, and dangerous. Officials reminded the public to use caution around waterways and to take appropriate safety precautions.