AZUSA >> Coroner’s officials on Saturday released the identity of a Los Angeles man who drowned in the San Gabriel River at the northern edge of Azusa last week after falling into the water.
Mark Christopher Clayton, 55, died at a hospital following the mishap, which took place about 4:40 p.m. on Nov. 9 in the river along San Gabriel Canyon Road, near the bike trail, according to Los Angeles County Department of Medical Examiner-Coroner Lt. David Smith.
Clayton was recreating with friends when he fell into the water from a raft or inner tube, Azusa police officials said.
A Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department helicopter crew hoisted the man from the river and flew him to a hospital, where he was pronounced dead a short time later, officials said.
Foul play was not suspected, police said. Clayton’s cause of death was yet to be determined by coroner’s investigators.
Azusa police Lt. Paul Dennis said the area where the accident occurred is private property, forbidden to the public, and unsafe for swimming or water sports due to “extremely dangerous” currents.