A man is lucky to be alive after falling into the Kern River about three miles into the canyon. 27-year-old Clayton Endes was reported missing by his family Friday afternoon after stopping by the side of the road. Caltrans workers heard him call for help half a mile downstream on the other side of the river, and a County Fire helicopter hoisted him up. While not doubting his story, rescuers cannot confirm what happened because the extreme conditions of the river make surviving unlikely.

Sean Michael Lisle