Another Visitor Drowns in Sequoia National Park’s Hazardous Kaweah River

A 27-year-old man from Huntington Park died after falling into the Kaweah River at Sequoia National Park, adding to recent water-related fatalities in the area.

Luis Alberto Gomez, a 27-year-old from Huntington Park, was discovered unresponsive near Hospital Rock on the Kaweah River in Sequoia National Park on Saturday, and officials confirmed he drowned. The National Park Service, represented by spokesperson Holly Streit, and the Tulare County Sheriff’s Office dispatched rangers and emergency responders, though it is not yet known if Gomez died at the scene or after being taken to a medical facility.

This incident comes just weeks after the June drowning of 17-year-old Andrea Diaz Mondragon, who was swept away while visiting the same river with friends. The park service emphasizes that drowning remains the top cause of visitor deaths in Sequoia and Kings Canyon, citing cold water, strong currents, and slippery rocks as primary dangers. They advise against swimming in fast-moving water, recommend life jackets, and caution that even calm-looking surfaces can conceal powerful currents. Recent water-related deaths have also been reported in other California locations, including Kings Canyon, the American River and Lake Tahoe.