A hero father kept his 7-year-old son above water at the cost of his own life after their kayak capsized in a lake east of Los Angeles over the weekend, authorities said.
Rescuers found the boy clinging to his dad’s unconscious body on Lake Perris Saturday afternoon after bystanders reported screaming and “persons in distress,” according to the California Department of Parks and Recreation.
Hadi with his wife. Facebook / Mojgan MfiInvestigators believe the 54-year-old dad, identified as Hadi Manafi, drowned while holding his son above the water.
Rescuers pulled the pair from the lake and gave the father CPR before paramedics transported Manafi to a hospital in the city of Riverside, where he was pronounced dead.
Lake Perris Recreation Area, where a man drowned after saving his son on Dec. 6, 2025. David – stock.adobe.com
A kayak like the one that capsized in Lake Perris, killing the father of a 7-year-old boy. Ints – stock.adobe.com“The 7-year-old was being treated at the hospital for evaluation,” the Parks Department said.
Neither Manafi nor his son had on a life jacket when their kayak flipped, even though state law requires children 12 and under to wear them on any moving water vessel.
Hadi kept his 7-year-old son above water, but was not able to save himself. Facebook / Mojgan MfiMichelle Juarez was boating on the lake when she came upon the desperate struggle to save the man’s life.
“I would say it was … at least 45 minutes that CPR was going on … We could hear from the boat [someone] saying, ‘Take the child to the ambulance,’” she told OnScene.TV.
An island in Lake Perris. David – stock.adobe.comAnother panicked family member looked on as rescuers struggled to save Manafi, the outlet added.
“California State Parks extends its deepest condolences to the family and loved ones affected by this tragedy,” the Parks Department wrote, urging boaters to always wear life jackets.
