Video released by the Kern County Sheriff’s Office shows deputies rescuing an unidentified woman who was swept into the fast-moving Kern River near the southern Sierra Nevada.
She was found clinging beneath a rock outcropping and was brought to safety after rescuers threw a life jacket and used a rope-attached flotation device to pull her ashore.
Authorities warned the river poses serious hazards and urged visitors to always wear life jackets near or in the water.
Rescuers from the Kern County Sheriff’s Office Air Support Unit dramatically pulled an unidentified woman from the fast-moving rapids of the Kern River near California’s southern Sierra Nevada mountains after she was swept downstream.
The sheriff’s office released video showing the woman swept by the current and later found at the base of a steep cliff beneath a rock outcropping, clinging to the underside of the rock while partially submerged in cold water.
Dramatic Rescue Sequence: Footage captures deputies first throwing a life jacket toward the stranded woman from the bank. When she secured the jacket, rescuers then sent a flotation device attached to a rope, which crews used to pull her away from the current and toward shore.
After being hauled from the water, the unidentified woman was turned over to emergency medical personnel for evaluation. The sheriff’s office did not release additional information about her condition or identity.
The Kern County Sheriff’s Office cautioned that the Kern River is hazardous even for experienced swimmers. Rapid currents, cold water temperatures and submerged obstacles can quickly overwhelm people. Authorities urged visitors to always wear a life jacket when they are near or in the river.
Safety Reminder: When visiting rivers or other swift-water environments, wear appropriate flotation, avoid risky areas near rapids, and never go alone. Swift-water rescues are dangerous for both victims and rescuers.
The dramatic, camera-captured rescue highlights the risks of swift water and the importance of preparedness, proper safety gear and professional rescue training around natural waterways.
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