Watch CBS News

San Jose State Student Drowns At Sequoia National Park

SAN JOSE (CBS SF) – A 19-year-old San Jose man drowned at Sequoia National Park over the weekend while on a trip with his college, National Park Service officials said Monday.

The man has been identified as Billy Nguyen, a San Jose State University sophomore who was visiting the park with other students and school staff members, college President Mary Papazian said in a campus message Monday.

Rangers at the park received a message about an apparent drowning shortly after 3 p.m. Saturday at Eagle Lake, an area in the southern area of the park about 10,000 feet in elevation near the Mineral King area, park officials said.

Three rangers went up a 3.5-mile trail 2,500 feet in elevation and a helicopter crew was sent to the scene, according to park officials.

The rangers met with the college group, who told them Nguyen might have drowned, park officials said.

Crews were unable to find the 19-year-old man until Sunday and flew his body to the Tulare County coroner's office, according to park officials.

Nguyen, a kinesiology major, was swimming in the lake where he struggled and sank, Papazian said.

The group he was with tried to rescue him, but they were unsuccessful, according to Papazian.

"As one would imagine, they have been badly shaken by this tragedy," she said.

Nguyen was one of five staff members in the group on a trip through the school's Outdoor Adventures recreation program, where he was a student assistant and underwent training to become a student leader this year, Papazian said.

The 19-year-old man enjoyed outdoor activities and fitness, she said.

"He has been described to me as someone who, while sometimes reserved, loved group activities and wanted to inspire others to join in and be active," Papazian said.

Counseling services are available for students to cope with Nguyen's passing, she said.

"I am heartbroken for the Nguyen family and for all who knew and loved their son. Please keep Billy, his family and friends in your thoughts and your hearts during this difficult time," Papazian said.

© Copyright 2016 by CBS San Francisco and Bay City News Service. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

View CBS News In
CBS News App Open
Chrome Safari Continue
Be the first to know
Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting.