An Escalon woman drowned at Woodward Reservoir on Wednesday, July 10 while Escalon fire crews also assisted in the rescue of a man with an ankle injury in the Stanislaus River.
Stanislaus County Sheriff’s Department officials said the incident at Woodward Reservoir, northwest of Oakdale, resulted in the death of Stephanie Modena, 34, of Escalon. She was reportedly swimming toward a small island at Muir Point in the reservoir with her young daughter when she went under. Bystanders attempted resuscitation efforts when she was pulled from the reservoir and emergency crews continued the effort but authorities said Modena could not be revived. She was originally from the Modesto area, officials said, and had lived in Butte County but relocated locally after having to leave Butte County due to last year’s Camp Fire.
The incident occurred about 3 p.m. Wednesday, July 10.
Later that same day, Escalon fire was called to the Stanislaus River at Jacob Myers Park in the 23000 block of Santa Fe, assisting in the rescue of a man who was reportedly clinging to a tree after suffering an ankle injury. That call came in just before 4:30 p.m. on July 10 and the man was taken to an area hospital after being rescued from the river.