Los Angeles man drowns in Sequoia National Park

A 45-year-old Los Angeles man apparently drowned Sunday after he was swept down the Kaweah River in Sequoia National Park, federal authorities said.

The man, whose name has not been released, had been drifting in an inner-tube style flotation device near the Buckeye Flat Campground about 12:30 p.m. Park officials began a search after he was reported missing about 1:15 p.m. by a family member.

A search and rescue team assisted by a helicopter found the man’s body about four to five miles downstream from the campground, according to the National Park Service. He was pronounced dead at the scene. His death is under investigation.

Rivers flowing from the Sierra Nevada have been unusually high and rough as an above-normal snowpack melts, and several rescues have taken place in recent weeks.

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-- Dan Weikel