A Rescue man drowned Saturday in a pond located on his rural property.

Around 2 p.m. law enforcement officials responded to the residence in the 1600 block of Pheasant Way.

According to Lt. Bryan Golmitz of the El Dorado County Sheriff's Office, the victim, 50-year-old Jeffrey Hewett was in a small boat with his 6-year-old niece on the pond. The niece fell out of the boat and Hewitt went in after her.

The niece was able to make it near the shore where she was rescued by her grandmother.

The pond is approximately 1 acre in size with an estimated 20 feet as its deepest point.

Hewitt's body was recovered by the El Dorado County Sheriff's Office dive team in approximately six feet of water.