CAMP VERDE - Yavapai County Sheriff's deputies are investigating the drowning of a man in the Verde River near the Child's Power Plant.
The area where the man was swept into the Verde River is in the Fossil Creek area between Camp Verde and Strawberry.
According to YCSO the man, identified as 22-year-old John Fisher II, of Tempe, attempted to cross the swollen Verde River from east to west intending to access the Verde Hot Springs.
A witness said the the ASU student lost his footing while crossing from rock to rock.
Friends attempted to rescue Fisher, but were unable to reach him. He tried to hang on to a tree, but wasn't able to hang on due to the current.
The YCSO Forest Patrol and Department of Public Safety Ranger from Flagstaff located the man hung up on a tree midstream. After landing they determined the man was deceased.
"YCSO Rescue personnel cannot stress enough the dangers of river waters in lowland areas throughout Yavapai County." YCSO said in a release. "River banks are swollen and the current in some sections is 5 times faster than its normal rate. Rescue experts recommend staying out of these swift waters regardless of how calm they may seem on the surface level. This also goes for vehicle travel across river areas."
Fisher's body has been taken to the Yavapai County Medical Examiner's Office.
