The body found in the Tracy Canal is believed to be that of a missing fisherman

Image by Lester Ashcraft of the Alameda County Sheriff's Office

(KRON) — A body found Tuesday in the Delta-Mendota Canal in the Tracy area is believed to be that of a man who went missing while fishing on May 31, the Alameda County Sheriff's Office said. Lester Ashcraft, 56, fell into the canal and has not been seen since.

The accident happened near Grant Line Road on the night of May 31. A group of fishermen in the area said Ashcraft fell into the canal and was swept south by the fast current.

The group tried to rescue Ashcraft but he couldn't keep his head above water, ACSO said. The current made it dangerous to deploy divers and other rescue efforts on the day of her disappearance failed.

At 7:20 a.m. Tuesday, the San Louis Delta Mendota Water Authority reported seeing a body in the water and coordinated with other authorities to remove it.

An identification card in the dead man's pocket belonged to Ashcraft, ACSO said. Official identification is pending.

Another drowning occurred west of where Ashcraft likely drowned a few days earlier. Dana Nino Gonzalez, 11, was identified as the person who drowned in Alameda Creek in Fremont on May 27.