SEQUOIA NATIONAL PARK — Seventeen-year-old Andrea Diaz Mondragon of Santa Maria drowned after slipping into a river near Three Rivers during her first visit to Sequoia National Park on a Friday.

Diaz Mondragon was visiting the park with her older brother and a group of friends. Family friend Efrain Salazar said the group intended a short hike. "We just wanted to do a short hike and we noticed that hike going down to the river at the entrance of the park. So we headed down there and as we were down there, unfortunately, Andrea slipped," Salazar said.

Diaz Mondragon's older brother and a friend entered the water to attempt a rescue. Bystanders tied clothing together to form a rope to assist. "We tied clothing together, trying to create a rope just to try to reach her," Salazar said. One of the two rescuers was saved by bystanders using the clothing rope, while Diaz Mondragon's older brother exited the water without assistance.

First responders recovered Diaz Mondragon from the river and transported her to a hospital, where she died. Salazar said he believed the current was too strong. "I believe the current was too strong in the river. So ultimately, all three of them were drowning at one point. We were able to get one of our friends out and her older brother was able to get out of the water by himself," he said. Ashley Ritchie, a representative for the Tulare County Sheriff's Office, described the conditions: "It doesn't look like it's moving very fast. But in reality, it's moving very fast. In reality, there are bushes and limbs, and logs, under the water."

Diaz Mondragon had recently completed her junior year of high school and was scheduled to begin her senior year at Pioneer Valley High School in Santa Maria in August. Her family established a GoFundMe campaign. "She dreamed of becoming a nurse and was passionate about helping others. Andrea loved to dance, spending time with her family and friends, and bringing joy to those around her. She was known for being outgoing, strong, brave, and caring," the family stated. "Andrea deeply loved her family. She cherished her mother, father, and two older brothers, and was always there for her younger sister, whom she loved and protected."

Salazar added, "She loved her family, especially her parents and her older brothers. Everyone who met her loved her, and she always made a great impression on people." He said, "I think that's what Andrea would have wanted, awareness of this situation. So no other family has to go through something as painful as this."

The death is the ninth drowning in Tulare County this year. The Fresno Fire Department has conducted 15 water rescue operations this year, resulting in six drowning deaths.