The Kern County Sheriff's Department said 37-year-old Amilcar Guardado of Los Angeles was swept downriver while swimming near the Keysville Campground. Search and rescue crews pulled Guardado out of the water and rushed him to an area hospital, where he died.
Also, the body of 31-year-old Panorama City resident Moises Aguilar was found floating face down in the river, and 44-year-old David Medina of Montebello was last seen as he was swept downriver near the Sandy Flat day use area.
Medina is presumed dead.
Meantime, three other people from the Los Angeles area, including a 13-year-old boy, were rescued from the rushing water after grabbing onto a rock.
County officials said the Kern River is flowing strong and faster due to the larger snow pack, resulting in double the water volume this year.