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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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Wednesday

04/02/2025

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-° / 46°

5%

Thursday

04/03/2025

Clear

66° / 46°

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Friday

04/04/2025

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Saturday

04/05/2025

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Sunday

04/06/2025

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Monday

04/07/2025

Partly Cloudy

80° / 53°

5%

Tuesday

04/08/2025

Clear

78° / 53°

4%

Wednesday

04/09/2025

Mostly Clear

84° / 57°

2%