Crews search for 5-year-old girl missing after being swept away in California river

The Stanislaus Consolidated Fire Protection District is reminding the public of the importance of life jackets as the search continued for a 5-year-old girl named Matilda who went missing in the Stanislaus River.

Crews were dispatched to the water rescue at 4:59 p.m. Sunday near Knights Ferry, according to a report by the Modesto Bee.

The Modesto Bee reports a 5-year-old girl slipped on a rock, and fell into the river. According to the report, a bystander briefly had a grip on the girl, but she was swept away in the current.

As the initial report came in, nine people were in the river and unable to get out.

Crews worked to rescue a man who was clinging to a tree. Everyone else, except the young girl, was able to get out safely.

Crews searched for hours Sunday and Monday, but were unable to locate the girl.

On its Facebook page, Stanislaus Consolidated Fire Protection District warned the public, "Please stay away from the river, the water is moving very fast, and it is cold. If you need to be near the water, always have a personal flotation device (LIFE Jacket) on."

The Modesto Bee reports Matilda's mother acknowledged she believed her daughter was gone, but desperately wanted to find her body.