Man drowns at popular Central Coast swimming hole

A Santa Barbara man died Wednesday evening in an apparent drowning at a popular swimming hole on the Santa Ynez River, according to the Santa Barbara County Fire Department.

Firefighters, sheriff’s deputies and Search & Rescue Team members were dispatched shortly after 6 p.m. to the incident along Paradise Road in the river’s Red Rock area in Los Padres National Forest.

The victim, 22-year-old Roberto De La Cruz, disappeared after entering the water with a group of friends, fire Capt. Scott Safechuck said.

Members of the group he was with pulled the man from the water and began CPR, but he was pronounced dead at the scene, Safechuck said.

His name was not released pending notification of relatives.

Personnel from the county Coroner’s Bureau were called in and will determine the cause of death, according to Raquel Zick, sheriff’s public information officer.

A county helicopter also was dispatched to assist on the incident.

This story was originally published July 13, 2023 at 11:51 AM.