Divers are continuing their search this morning for the body of a Los Angeles man who was presumed drowned after he went missing in Lake Piru Monday evening, authorities said.
Anatoly Smolyansky, 39, was in a boat on the lake with three children about 6 p.m. Monday when his 5-year-old daughter fell overboard and he jumped in to save her, said Capt. Ross Bonfiglio of the Ventura County Sheriff’s Department.
The child resurfaced and made it back to the boat but Smolyansky did not.
After searching for about 90 minutes, recovery teams including divers and medical personnel took over from rescue crews.
Recovery teams worked until late last night but did not find Smolyansky, Bonfiglio said.
The search resumed about 8 a.m. today.
(PHOTO LINK AT END OF ARTICLE) [UPDATES BELOW] A massive search is underway in Lake Piru, California for a father who has gone missing after being swept away in a strong current, sources confirm to YWN. A massive search is underway in Lake Piru, California for a father who has gone missing after being swept away in a strong current, sources confirm to YWN. At approximately 5:00PM Monday afternoon, a 39-year-old father jumped into the waters of Lake Piru to rescue his daughter who had fallen overboard while on a boating trip. He successfully rescued his daughter, but was unable to climb back into the boat. Strong currents swept the boat away from the father. The boat was found by the Sheriff Patrol with the children inside a few hours later. A large search was initiated by the Sheriff Department, Fire Department, and Los Angeles Hatzolah dispatched numerous units as well. Divers were deployed into the waters, but as of 12 midnight, the search was called off until 6:00AM. Los Angeles Hatzolah plans on renting many boats on Tuesday morning when the search resumes. The rescue effort was concentrated on the north end of the lake, authorities said, in an area known as “The Narrows.”
A YWN reporter is on the scene, and will update as the search progresses.
Please be mispallel for Naftoli ben Anna.
UPDATE 2:30PM EST: The Los Angeles Hatzolah Command Center, along with local authorities have renewed their search efforts with a vigor, and are requesting as many volunteers as possible to assist.
If you are available to assist, please bring the following items with you:
*Hiking shoes
*Binoculars
*Hat (the sun is very strong)
*Flashlight with batteries
Click HERE for directions to Lake Piru.PHOTO LINK: For YWN exclusive photos of the search scene taken by YW-153, click HERE.
