THE KILLER KERN
A DOCUMENTARY FILM
EVERY YEAR AN AVERAGE OF SIX PEOPLE WILL DIE IN THE KERN RIVER
The annual death toll has fluctuated from as high as 17 but never zero. The
vast majority of these deaths occuring during three short summer months.
Despite numerous signs and attempted ordinances, people continue
to risk their lives by swimming in California’s most dangerous river.
The annual death toll has fluctuated from as high as 17 but never zero. The vast majority of these deaths occuring during three short summer months. Despite numerous signs and attempted ordinances, people continue to risk their lives by swimming in California’s most dangerous river.
THE PRIMARY OBJECTIVE OF THE FILM IS TO ILLUSTRATE THE
DANGERS OF THE RIVER AND HOW THEY CAN BE AVOIDED.
THE PRIMARY OBJECTIVE OF THE FILM IS TO ILLUSTRATE THE DANGERS OF THE RIVER AND HOW THEY CAN BE AVOIDED.
While filming on the river a lack of precaution was observed on a regular
basis, some with dire consequences. It has become apparent that the people
will not be deterred from enjoying the oasis like qualities that the river
offers. While there is no way to completely end the senseless deaths that
occur year after year, hopefully people can be convinced to take the proper
precautions before entering the river, or just stay out completely.
While filming on the river a lack of precautions was observed on a regular basis, some with dire consequences. It has become apparent that the people will not be deterred from enjoying the oasis like qualities that the river offers. While there is no way to completely end the senseless deaths that occur year after year, hopefully people can be concinced to take the proper precautions before entering the river, or just stay out completely.
Being a member of a SAR team can be a dangerous endeavor. It requires many attributes, as well as sacrifices. It is not an easy job, but it is a vital service provided by volunteers whose only reward (more often than not) is an internal sense of service to their community. While most SAR teams will spend their time searching, rescuing, and recovering on land, the Kern County Search and Rescue team will spend the majority of call-outs attempting to execute those tasks while navigating an extremely dangerous river.
Being a member of a SAR team can be a dangerous endeavor. It
requires many attributes, as well as sacrifices. It is not an easy job,
but it is a vital service provided by volunteers whose only reward
(more often than not) is an internal sense of service to their community.
While most SAR teams will spend their time searching, rescuing, and
recovering on land, the Kern County Search and Rescue team will
spend the majority of call-outs attempting to execute those tasks
while navigating an extremely dangerous river.
The majority of all deaths on the Kern River are completely preventable. By not taking any precautionary safety measures the patrons who enter the river are literally gambling with their lives. Perhaps the most difficult reality to accept is the toll these losses take on the families of victims, a significant number of which will be present when their loved one is recovered. Though beautiful throughout, the river has been proven to be dangerous regardless of its flow.
The majority of all deaths on the Kern River are completely preventable. By not taking any precautionary safety measures the patrons who enter the river are literally gambling with their lives. Perhaps the most difficult reality to accept is the toll these losses take on the families of the victims, a significant number of which will be present when their loved one is recovered. Though beautiful throughout, the river has proven, as this film illustrates, to be dangerous regardless of its flow.
THE KILLER KERN
A FILM BY MATT BREWER
The film is currently in post production with a scheduled completion in 2024. For any questions or comments, contact us via the email link below.
The film is currently in post production with a
scheduled completion in 2024. For any questions
or comments, contact us via the email link below.
