The Kern County Sheriff's Office emergency crews responded to reports of a drowning in the Kern River Canyon approximately half a mile inside the western end of the canyon Thursday afternoon.
The call came out just before 2:30 p.m.
Bakersfield Fire Department said three kayakers, two men and a woman, were rescued. Two of which are headed to the hospital. Officials said one person is in critical condition.
On Friday, KCSO said one of the men who was rescued has died. He was in his early 20's and his name has not yet been released. Officials said the other two victims are fine.
BFD said a person did CPR on the patient for about 45 minutes before crews could get across the river to them.
Officials from KCSO, BFD, and the Kern County Fire Department all assisted on the rescue.
