Lake Perris Kayaking Tragedy: 55‑Year‑Old Engineer Drowns After Capsizing

On Monday, a woman in Corona was left in shock and sorrow after her husband drowned in Lake Perris on Saturday.

A Family’s Day of Joy

Mojgan Manafi and her 55‑year‑old husband, Hadi Manafi, a city engineer, had planned a simple outing with their 7‑year‑old son, Arti. The family left their Corona home on Saturday and drove to Lake Perris to spend the day on the water with friends. “(My husband) enjoyed his lunch then they went on the kayak. They had so much fun, and they came back,” the widow recalled.

The Kayaking Adventure

The first kayak run began with Hadi wearing a life jacket. “They loved it. They were laughing so loud,” Mojgan Manafi recalled. “Arti (our son) was waving and yelling, ‘Mommy we are having so much fun.’” The pair laughed loudly, with the son waving and yelling, “Mommy we are having so much fun.” The father and son decided to go back into the lake after the initial trip. Neither Hadi nor Arti wore a jacket during the second run.

The Capsizing and Rescue

When the kayak flipped, Hadi was terrified of losing his son. “When the kayak flipped over, he was scared to lose my son. He had a heart attack and drowned,” the widow explained. The 7‑year‑old son clung to his father, trying to keep his head above the water. Authorities were sent to Moreno Beach around 4 p.m. Saturday and found Hadi unconscious and submerged. CPR was performed, but it did not save him.

Aftermath and Reflections

Mojgan Manafi said she and her husband had recently celebrated their 10th wedding anniversary. She is now trying to stay strong for their young son. “Physically, he is good, but mentally, I’m sure he’s shattered,” the mom said of her son. She also reflected on her husband’s heroism, saying, “He was always my hero, but now he showed more than being a hero because he saved my son.”

Safety Reminders

State parks urge all people to wear a life jacket when going in the water. Children 12 and under are required to wear one under state law.

Key Takeaways

• Hadi Manafi, a 55‑year‑old city engineer, drowned in Lake Perris after a kayak capsized on Saturday.
• The incident involved his 7‑year‑old son, Arti, who was holding his father when the rescue was attempted.
• The widow, Mojgan Manafi, is coping with grief after the loss and the mental impact on their son.

The tragedy highlights the importance of life jacket usage and adherence to state safety regulations.