A 54-year-old father died after helping to keep his 7-year-old son afloat after their kayak capsized at the Lake Perris State Recreation Area on Saturday, Dec. 6, authorities said. California State Park peace officers responded to reports of screaming and people in distress in the water near Moreno Beach shortly before 4:15 p.m., State Parks officials said. They arrived by patrol vessel to the capsized kayak and immediately brought the man, who was unconscious and partially submerged underwater, on board, officials said. The boy “was in distress, but conscious and holding his father, helping to keep himself above water,” officials said. “Investigators noted that the father heroically kept his son afloat throughout the ordeal, supporting him until rescue personnel arrived.” Officers tried CPR on the man before paramedics took him to a hospital, where he died, officials said. The boy was also taken to the hospital for evaluation. Neither father nor son was wearing a life jacket when the kayak flipped over, but there was one life jacket on the vessel, officials said. The father was not identified by authorities pending notification of his relatives. “State Parks urges all visitors to wear a properly fitted, U.S. Coast Guard-approved lifejacket at all times while on the water,” officials said. “California law requires children 12 and under to wear a lifejacket on any vessel.” Related Articles Viral video falsely IDs bail bondsman as ICE, accuses him of stealing truck in Anaheim Arrest made in death of 18-year-old from Hemet in 2004 Driver rushed to hospital after crashing with Metrolink train in Riverside Wilmington man arrested, accused of sex trafficking a 15-year-old girl from Temecula Driver arrested after San Bernardino hit-and-run seriously injures 2 young children ...read more read less