The sheriff’s offices from both Merced and Stanislaus counties were put into action Sunday afternoon when a report of a man struggling in the water at George Hatfield State Park came in.

According to the report, the man had gone into the water but was not seen for several minutes.

The Stanislaus County Sheriff's Office Air Support Unit responded but could not locate him from the air.

The Merced County Sheriff's Office Water Rescue and Recovery Team was requested and divers were able to find the man in the water.

Unfortunately, the man was pronounced dead at the scene. The name of the deceased has not been released as of press time.

“This is a sad reminder about the dangers of swimming in a river,” the Merced County Sherriff’s Office said in a Facebook post. “Looks can be deceiving and while it may appear calm on the water, there can be obstacles and swift-moving undercurrents. Please use caution and always remember to wear a life jacket when swimming.”

The latest death continues a streak of drownings that have happened in Stanislaus and Merced counties this year.  On Sept. 14, the Stanislaus County Sheriff’s Office said a 49-year-old man had drowned near San Jose Island at Modesto Reservoir. He marked the 10th drowning the department had responded to at the time. The one on Sunday made for the 11th.

The Merced County Sheriff’s Office has responded to drownings in area rivers this season, including one in July at George Hatfield State Park of a man who had gone out fishing with his friends.

In May, the Stanislaus County Sheriff’s Office led the recovery efforts for Brenda Duran, 30, of Newman, who drowned in the San Joaquin River while trying to save her 11-year-old daughter.