Authorities Search for Missing H.S.U./Foreign Exchange Student

 
On Sunday, June 19th, at about 4:30 p.m. the Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office was notified of a possible drowning in the Trinity River across from Tish Tang Creek Campground, Hoopa. Sheriff’s Deputies responded along with Hoopa Valley Tribal Police , Hoopa Valley Volunteer Fire Department, a United States Coast Guard Helicopter, Humboldt County Sheriff Search and Rescue Posse personnel and several community volunteers. Upon their arrival, the Sheriff’s Deputies, Hoopa Valley Tribal Police and some community members launched boats into the river to search for the missing person.
            Deputies learned the victim, who has been identified as Jian Kang, 21 years old, from the City of Renqiu, Hebei Province China is a Foreign Exchange Student attending Humboldt State University and was attending a birthday party along the Trinity River at Tish Tang campground. There were twelve people in attendance at the party when the tragedy occurred. Witnesses told deputies Kang was wading in the Trinity River when he lost his balance and was swept downstream.
            Search and Rescue personnel searched the river until nightfall and were unable to locate Kang. Humboldt State University Police was notified shortly after the incident occurred. Humboldt State University staff has notified the victim’s family in China who is currently making travel arrangements to come to Humboldt County.
            Search and Rescue personnel are on scene searching today for Kang, along with a California Highway Patrol Helicopter.
            According to the National Weather Service the Trinity River is currently at 6,140 cu feet per second in the Tish Tang area and the water temperature is 59 degrees. Normally the Trinity River is 2, 630 cu feet per second at this time of year. Everyone is advised to use extreme caution around the Trinity River.