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KCSO search and rescue teams battle "Killer" Kern River during holiday weekend

River takes 3 lives, crews manage to rescue 20
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The Kern County Sheriff’s Office Search and Rescue Crews were busy all weekend as hundreds of people made their way to the Kern River to celebrate Memorial Day Weekend.

 

The worst fear for Kern County: search-and-rescue becoming a reality. While the river, also known as the “Killer” Kern, took three more lives, as many as 20 people were saved.

 

On Saturday, a 40-year-old man fell out of a boat while rafting in Tulare County.

 

On Sunday, the body of a 47-year-old woman was recovered near Hart Park a day after the boat carrying her and 5 others was swept away.

 

On Monday, a man in his mid-40s was recovered near Lake Isabella after he was rafting on Sunday evening.

 

 

Officials say that the river conditions pose an even greater danger during the summer as a lot of snow melts in the higher elevations. 

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Friday

04/25/2025

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-° / 50°

12%

Saturday

04/26/2025

Cloudy

59° / 48°

24%

Sunday

04/27/2025

Partly Cloudy

65° / 52°

4%

Monday

04/28/2025

Clear

73° / 55°

3%

Tuesday

04/29/2025

Partly Cloudy

84° / 60°

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Wednesday

04/30/2025

Partly Cloudy

88° / 62°

1%

Thursday

05/01/2025

Clear

90° / 63°

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Friday

05/02/2025

Partly Cloudy

87° / 59°

12%