BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (KBAK/KBFX) — A woman was rescued after falling into the Kern River Saturday afternoon in the Kern Canyon.
The Kern County Sheriff’s Office said on Saturday, July 25, 2026, at around 3:50 p.m., a KCSO Park Ranger was flagged down by a person on Highway 178 near mile marker 15 in the Kern River Canyon. The person reported that a woman had fallen into the Kern River and had been swept downstream by the fast-moving current.
The Park Ranger immediately requested assistance, and deputies along with the Kern County Sheriff’s Office Air Support Unit responded to the area to search for the missing woman.
KCSO said shortly after arriving on scene, Air 1 began conducting a low-level search of the river corridor. On about the third search pass, Tactical Flight Officer Deputy Brewster found the woman at the base of a steep cliff beneath a rock outcropping. KCSO said she was clinging to the underside of the rock while partially submerged in the swift water.
Fire personnel were able to throw the woman a personal flotation device, followed by a rescue rope, allowing them to pull her from the river safely.
The woman was successfully rescued and turned over to emergency medical personnel for evaluation.
In a release, it said:
The Kern County Sheriff’s Office reminds the public that the Kern River is extremely dangerous, even for experienced swimmers. Strong currents, cold water temperatures, and submerged hazards can quickly overwhelm individuals. Visitors are encouraged to exercise extreme caution and always wear a properly fitted life jacket when recreating near or in the river.