Concord man drowns at Lake Berryessa

NAPA COUNTY, Calif. -- A Concord man apparently drowned Sunday after he jumped from a rock into the water at Lake Berryessa, a Napa County sheriff's captain said Monday.

Edward Pinelli, 27, was camping with friends at the lake when the group went swimming around 3:30 p.m. in the area of Pope Creek Bridge, sheriff's Capt. Doug Pike said.

Pinelli jumped from a large rock into water that was 30-35 feet deep and never resurfaced, Pike said.

Sheriff's deputies responded and called the sheriff's office's Marine Unit, while a California Highway Patrol helicopter also flew over the area, Pike said.

The sheriff's dive team recovered Pinelli's body around 7 p.m. in the area where he was last seen, Pike said.

On holidays, a boom is installed at the lake to lower the water level and prevent boats from reaching the popular Pope Creek Bridge area, Pike said.

The boom was not yet installed Sunday in advance of the upcoming Memorial Day weekend, Pike said.

The sheriff's office is reminding visitors to the lake that it isn't safe to jump from a rock or bridge because of unseen rock outcroppings.

Pinelli's death was the first drowning at the lake this season, Pike said.