A pair of Bakersfield women drowned in the Tule River on April 13, according to the Tulare County Sheriff’s Department.
Tulare County Sheriff’s Deputies said located one woman deceased early into the search on April 13. She has been identified as Shreya Singh, 21, of Bakersfield. The second female has not been recovered. She is identified as Alondra Orozco, 21, of Bakersfield.
The Tulare County Sheriff’s Office responded a report of two female adults in the Tule River near Coffee Camp just after 10 a.m. on April 13, 2017. The caller reported that one female slipped into the water and the second female entered the river voluntarily in an attempt to save her. Their three companions remained on the shore and called 911.
The initial response included the Sheriff’s Swift Water Dive Rescue Team, Search and Rescue Team, the Sheriff’s Unmanned Aerial System (drone) as well as patrol and resident deputies from the Porterville substation.
While on scene April 13, attempts were made to preliminarily identify the decedent. As a result, the decedent was initially identified by family members as Alondra Orozco. During further routine investigation by the Tulare County Coroner’s Office, it was learned that the decedent was in fact Shreya Singh. Verification was made through fingerprints by the Sheriff’s Cyber Forensic Investigations Unit and the families were immediately notified.
Other assisting agencies included the Tulare County Fire Department, CALFIRE, Exeter Fire Department, the Kern County Fire Air Unit, California Highway Patrol and personnel from both the National Parks and the Forest Service.
Search and Rescue efforts continued through the end of the day on Saturday, April 15, but have been scaled back based on safety concerns and the condition of the river. The Tulare County Sheriff’s Office maintains a continual presence along the Tule River and would like to bring closure to the Orozco family.
