17-year-old boy who drowned in Tule River identified

TULARE COUNTY, Calif. (KFSN) -- A 17-year-old boy has died after going into the Tule River in Tulare County.

The Tulare County Coroner's Office identified Juan Hernandez, 17, of Los Angeles on Monday afternoon.

The Tulare County Sheriff's Office says Hernandez went into the river in an area known as "The Stairs" above Springville at about 4 pm on Sunday.

After about 10-20 minutes in the water, he was pulled out by bystanders and taken to Sierra View Hospital, where he died.

Authorities say this is an area where multiple drownings have happened, including a teenager who disappeared in the water on Mother's Day of 2019.

RELATED: Tulare County rescue teams searching for teen missing in Tule River

The Tulare County Sheriff's Office wrote about the incident in a Facebook post, warning people about the dangers of the county's waterways.

"Sheriff Boudreaux wants to remind everyone of the dangers the lurk in our local waterways. The water may seem enticing, but it can be incredibly dangerous. NEVER enter "white water". And always wear a life jacket," the post said.