State Park officials are searching for at least five people they believe were involved in a fight that left one man unconscious and another man and woman seriously battered.

Jenny Gardemeyer, a ranger with the Auburn State Recreation Area, said Tuesday that officials believe more people were involved in a brawl that broke out Sunday evening at Ponderosa Bridge near Colfax on the North Fork of the American River.

Gardemeyer said at about 9 p.m. Sunday, an emergency room nurse at Sutter Auburn Faith Hospital alerted State Parks that one of the victims of the fight was being treated at their facility.

The victim, a man, had moderate injuries and told Gardemeyer about another male and female who were also hurt during the fight.

Gardemeyer said the other male was strangled to the point of unconsciousness Sunday. She said she told the male to go to the hospital Monday after she saw multiple bruises and contusions on his head and he complained of nausea and vomiting.

The female victim was hit in the face about 15 to 20 times, Gardemeyer estimated, and left with bruises and contusions on her head and hair line.

All three victims are in their mid to late 20s and one male and female live in Nevada County and the second male lives in Placer County, Gardemeyer said.

The fight began at about 7:30 p.m. after one of the suspects reportedly called out from the bridge, “I can kick your a**,” Gardemeyer said.

One of the male victims asked the suspect if he was talking to him. Gardemeyer said, according to the victim’s report, that the two men talked and then shook hands.

She said the male victim turned around and walked away when the suspect allegedly “charged” the victim. Gardemeyer said a brawl involving multiple people ensued.

“In talking to the victims, 40 to 50 people were out there,” Gardemeyer said. “A lot of people were involved in the fight and trying to break it up.”

Gardemeyer said she hopes any witnesses will come forward.

Anyone with information is asked to call her at (530) 823-4178.

The five suspects are described as:

- A Hispanic male with shoulder-length curly or wavy black hair, a muscular build, about 5 feet 6 inches tall with multiple tattoos on his chest and shoulders. He has brown eyes and is in his mid 20s. He reportedly introduced himself as either “Skeeter” or “Swizzle.”

- A Hispanic or Caucasian male in his mid-20s with dark, short, buzz-cut hair, about 5 feet 6 inches tall and an average build

- A tan or Hispanic male with blue eyes and sandy-brown hair, about 5 feet 8 inches tall with a very muscular build. He is believed to be in his late 20s to early 30s and had tattoos on his chest and shoulders, including a tattoos that said “South Sac” on his abdomen. He also had a jester “S” tattoo on one of his lower legs.

- A Hispanic male with dark-colored eyes, dark hair and about 5 feet 7 inches tall weighing between an estimated 300 and 350 pounds

- A Hispanic female in her early 20s, about 5 feet 3 inches tall, with a small build and shoulder length black hair and multiple tattoos.

Reach Jenifer Gee at jeniferg@goldcountrymedia.com.