Archive · 10 Dec 2025
Man Drowns Saving Son After Kayak Capsizes
A man and his young son were kayaking on a lake in California.
Suddenly, their kayak flipped over.
The man held his son above water to keep him safe, but he couldn't save himself.
People nearby saw them and called for help.
The man was pulled from the water, but he was very sick.
The rescuers tried to help him for a long time, but he didn't survive.
The little boy is okay and will get better.
The people in charge of the lake are very sad and want everyone to remember to wear life jackets when they are on or near the water.
A 54-year-old man drowned after his kayak capsized while trying to save his 7-year-old son at Lake Perris State Recreation Area in California.
Neither the man nor his son was wearing a life jacket, despite state law requiring children 12 and under to do so on moving recreational vessels.
Witnesses reported the incident, and California State Park peace officers quickly responded, performing CPR on the man for approximately 45 minutes.
The man was pronounced dead at Riverside University Health System, while his son was hospitalized for evaluation and is expected to recover.
The California Department of Parks and Recreation emphasized the importance of wearing life jackets and is investigating the incident.
- Who
- Hadi Manafi, a 54-year-old man, and his 7-year-old son
- What
- A kayak capsized, leading to the man's drowning while saving his son
- When
- December 6 at around 4:13 pm (local time)
- Where
- Lake Perris State Recreation Area, California, near Moreno Beach
- Why
- The kayak capsized, and the man was not wearing a life jacket while trying to keep his son afloat
- Location
- Lake Perris State Recreation Area, California
- Date
- December 6
- Time
- 4:13 pm (local time)
- Victim
- Hadi Manafi (54-year-old man)
- Survivor
- 7-year-old son
- Life Jackets
- Neither victim nor son was wearing one
- Rescue Efforts
- CPR performed for 45 minutes
- Investigation
- Ongoing by California State Parks and Riverside County Sheriff-Coroner's Office