Laton man seeking clams with friends identified by Kings Sheriffs as drowning victim

The incident occurred on July 17, at about 4 p.m. stated the Sheriff’s Office. Deputies were dispatched to the area of 20 ½ Ave & Utica Ave in unincorporated Kings County upon learning that a man entered a local canal and went missing.

Upon arrival, deputies contacted friends of the victim who said they were clam hunting in a canal when their friend, identified as Celso Ortega, age 29 of Laton, slipped under the water and disappeared. Witnesses at the scene say they saw Ortega in distress in the canal. A friend tried to assist him from the water, but after losing a grip, lost sight of Ortega who then disappeared underwater.

At about 4:30 p.m., divers entered and searched the canal area where Ortega had been reported last seen and discovered his body at approximately 7 p.m.

Due to the length of time that Ortega was submerged, law enforcement officials believe he was the victim of an accidental drowning. At this time, all information suggests that the drowning was accidental with no foul play suspected.

The victim was identified as Celso Cayetano Ortega, 29, of Laton, CA. The victim was transported to the Kings County Sheriff’s Office morgue pending autopsy and the official cause of death.