Body of Victorville teen, 16, recovered from Colorado River

MOHAVE – Sheriff’s officials said they’ve recovered the body of a 16-year-old Victorville teen who died while attempting to cliff dive into the Colorado River. 

It happened on Friday, July 5, 2019, at about 4:20 pm when the Mohave County Sheriff’s Office was notified of a male teen that jumped into the water near Mohave Rock, north of the Sand Bar and had not resurfaced. 

The Division of Boating Safety began investigating, with assistance from the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department, Arizona Game and Fish Department, U.S. Fish and Wildlife, and the San Bernardino County Fire Department. 

According to a news release, dive teams and side scan sonar were used for underwater searches, while Search and Rescue Units were activated for shoreline and aerial searches. 

The following morning on Saturday at approximately 9:15 AM, the male subject was located deceased by side scan sonar and recovered by divers. 

The victim has been identified as Chance Huerta of Victorville, CA. 

According to the release, “It was determined that the victim attempted to do a flip off of a cliff and landed wrong. The victim came to the surface briefly, before witnesses on scene lost sight of him.”

This investigation is ongoing.

The missing person in the Colorado River has been located. Sadly, he was found deceased by dive team members. Our thoughts and prayers are with the family in this difficult time. There are no restrictions to boat traffic on the river.

— SBCSD Colorado River Station (@CORiverStation) July 6, 2019

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