California man who drowned in Colorado River identified

The California man who drowned during a 9-mile float that drew 10,000 participants to the Colorado River on Saturday was identified Monday as James Vergil Prater, 40, of Hemet.

Bullhead City, Ariz., spokesman Steve Johnson said Prater had not officially registered for the city's fourth annual River Regatta, but that his death occurred during and near the event.

He said Prater was not wearing a life vest when he jumped into the river from his flotation device and did not surface.

Divers recovered his body from an area known as River Bend.