Updates Per Placer County Sheriff’s Office & Photos Added:
Friday Update: The search efforts will continue in a limited but ongoing capacity. Over the next few days, and as wind conditions allow, aerial surveys of the location and overall area will be conducted.
Once conditions improve, anticipated by Sunday, a coordinated plan is in place to return to the site with enhanced equipment and support from mutual aid partners to further the search efforts.
Thursday Afternoon Update: Search operations have been suspended for the day due to poor underwater visibility caused by debris and strong currents. Additionally, increasing winds this afternoon have made flying conditions unsafe. Dive team members have been flown back to the command post to conclude efforts for the evening.
Thursday Morning Update: The search continues this morning for three men who went underwater at Rattlesnake Falls and did not resurface. Placer County dive team members will be flown into the remote area by helicopter carry out a search operation, weather and conditions permitting.
On Wednesday evening, we made contact with the three other individuals who were part of the hiking group. Based on the information they provided, we’ve determined that six men were hiking in the area when three of them jumped into the water at Rattlesnake Falls (not Heath Falls, as initially reported) and failed to resurface.
Due to the area’s challenging terrain, located several miles in on a steep and difficult hiking trail, CHP’s helicopter was used to evacuate the three remaining hikers Wednesday evening.
Efforts are ongoing this morning to locate the three missing men.
Possible Triple Drowning in the Soda Springs Area
June 19, 2025 – Placer County Sheriff’s Office officials report that shortly before 3:00 p.m. on Wednesday 
afternoon, the Placer County Sheriff’s Office responded to the area of Heath Falls (Rattlesnake Falls) in Soda Springs following reports that three individuals entered the water and did not resurface.
Multiple resources have been deployed for the search, including the Sheriff’s Office Dive Team, Search and Rescue units, CAL FIRE’s Technical Rescue Team, and CHP’s helicopter.
The terrain is extremely remote and difficult to access, making rescue efforts especially challenging.
Source: Placer County Sheriff’s Office
