On Monday, May 22, 2017 at 5:51 p.m. a reinforced alarm from the Bakersfield Fire Department responded to a report of a male victim stranded on vegetation in the Kern River at 8222 Alfred Harrell Highway.

First arriving BFD firefighters reported one male victim stranded on a small island of vegetation within the Kern River’s swift current.

BFD firefighters immediately deployed upstream spotters and downstream safeties while simultaneously making visual contact with the lone victim.

Firefighters launched an initial rescue boat to assess the river’s current and victim accessibility. Firefighters maneuvered a second BFD rescue boat to the victim, extracted him from harm’s way and returned him safely to shore for a medical evaluation.

The victim ultimately refused further treatment and transport. No firefighter injuries were reported.