Stunning Survival Story: TCSO Rescue Team Saves Man Trapped Behind Waterfall for Two Days in the Kern River 

August 14, 2025 – Tulare County Sheriff Office officials report that on August 11, 2025, The Tulare County Sheriff Office's Emergency Services Division took a report of a missing man, who was last seen at the top of the "Seven Teacups" waterfalls near the North Fork of the Kern River Sunday evening (08/10/25).

Deputies learned 46-year-old Ryan Wardwell of Long Beach had planned to rappel the waterfalls but had not returned to his car late Sunday night.

TCSO units began an extensive search of the area, using aircraft equipped with camera and infrared technology and identified Wardwell's possible location. Due to the late hours of the day and technical difficulty of the area, a rescue plan was developed to respond at first light the following morning.

Early Tuesday morning, 08/12/25, the TCSO Swiftwater-Dive Rescue Team (SDRT) and Search and Rescue (SAR) teams went to the area to begin the search. After inserting teams into the search area, a drone was used to check behind a large waterfall where Wardwell was found alive and responsive. He told Deputies, he had come off his rappel lines and got trapped behind the waterfall because of the extreme hydraulics of the river.

View video here.

California Highway Patrol (CHP) Helicopter H-40 was called to help with the rescue operation.

Once H-40 was on scene, a member of the TCSO rescue team was lowered down into the water feature, he secured Wardwell and a hoist extraction was conducted.

Wardwell was flown to a nearby landing zone and evaluated by medical personnel, where he was treated for only minor injuries and dehydration. He was then reunited with family members who were on scene.

The TCSO Emergency Services Division reminds the public to always be aware of their environment and capabilities, especially when navigating white water rivers. Stay Safe, Stay Smart and Stay Alive.

Source: Tulare County Sheriff Office