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Young Girl Drowns in Middle Fork of the Kaweah River in Seqouia National Park

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Published Date

July 19, 2009

A young California girl has drowned in the Middle Fork of the Kaweah River in Sequoia National Park. NPS photo.

A young California girl enjoying a hot summer afternoon in Sequoia National Park drowned in the Middle Fork of the Kaweah River near Hospital Rock when the current swept her through some rapids and trapped her under a rock.

The call for help for the 13-year-old, from Tulare, was received by rangers about 3 p.m. Saturday. Rescue efforts continued for more than an hour, when they were transformed to recovery efforts. Rangers finally managed to retrieve the girl's body about 5:30 p.m., the park said.

“Once the high water of spring has passed, the river can appear deceptively calm,” said Ranger David Fireman, who headed the rescue efforts. “However, there are still strong currents. Between
that and the rocky riverbed, the river remains dangerous all year.”

This is the first drowning in Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks this year, although there have been several close calls. Drowning is the No. 1 cause of death in these and other national parks.

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Comments

Submitted by admin on July 19, 2009 - 5:08pm.

My 23 year old son witnessed this event. He feels terrible, as you can imagine. Our hearts go out the family and friends of the young girl. What a tragedy.


Submitted by admin on July 22, 2009 - 4:49pm.

My name is manoel beyris. I'm 21. I was here this day. When I arrived the girl was already under the rock. I went under the rock but it was too late.
I'm traumatised, and I need to contact the family, this mom that I had In my harms, the brother and the sister. I need to contact them I gave my witness to the rescues, and as I'm just a tourist I continued my travel to LA this day. My hearts is broke, I want to contact them, please If anybody can help me, find a number, a name. Maybe the police or rescue number, please write to me.
All my thinks ans my heart to the family, I will never forget.
Mano


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