Sheriff’s Office identifies kayaker who drowned at Montaña de Oro
The San Luis Obispo County Sheriff’s Office identified the kayaker who drowned at Montaña de Oro State Park this weekend.
Arroyo Grande resident Ralph Sutter, 78, was kayaking on Saturday at about 10:30 a.m. when witnesses said his kayak was flipped over by the waves, the Sheriff’s Office announced on Monday.
Authorities said the kayaker had been wearing a life vest, but it appeared to have slipped off his body after he overturned.
Sutter was located and rescuers performed CPR, but he was pronounced dead at the scene.
A multi-agency response including the Sheriff’s Office, California State Parks, the U.S. Coast Guard and Cal Fire responded to the scene.
“Our thoughts are with Mr. Sutter’s family and loved ones during this difficult time,” the Sheriff’s Office said in a news release.
