Two young siblings died after being swept away by a rapidly flowing creek in Southern California’s San Bernardino Mountains

Two young siblings perished after being swept away by a swiftly flowing creek in the San Bernardino Mountains of Southern California, authorities revealed.

The tragic incident unfolded on Tuesday when a mother brought her 4-year-old daughter and 2-year-old son to enjoy the afternoon at Thurman Flat picnic area on Highway 38 near Mill Creek, according to a news release from the San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department.

As they were playing along the creek, the mother was momentarily occupied with her son when her daughter was carried downstream, the department stated.

"The mother searched for her but could not locate her," the department explained. "Upon returning, her son was also missing and presumed to have been carried downstream."

The mother desperately searched for both children and then ascended to the picnic area, seeking assistance from another family in the vicinity, but their joint efforts proved futile.

Rescue teams from various agencies descended upon the scene, approximately 70 miles (113 kilometers) east of Los Angeles, around 4 p.m. and eventually located both children. Despite extensive efforts to revive them, the siblings were pronounced dead upon arrival at local hospitals, the department confirmed.

The identities of the children and their mother were not immediately disclosed.

Mill Creek serves as a significant tributary of the Santa Ana River, cascading down a rocky course from the towering summits of the San Bernardino range, which experienced substantial snowfall this past season, with ski resorts reporting up to 199 inches (505 centimeters).

Authorities in California routinely caution that the state's rivers and streams can become perilous when spring snowmelt engorges them with rapid, icy water.

According to the California Office of Emergency Services, the sudden chill of the water can swiftly incapacitate even the most proficient swimmers, while submerged hazards such as rocks, branches, and other debris pose unseen threats.

"Swift water can be deadly, particularly as temperatures rise following heavy winter snowfall in the mountains and increased flows in rivers and streams," remarked Amy Palmer, a spokesperson for the California Office of Emergency Services, via email. "It's crucial for Californians to recognise and respect the dangers it presents and take precautions whenever possible."

Local public safety agencies also issue appeals for caution around water bodies.

In the southern Sierra Nevada, the Kern County Sheriff's Office is forthright, updating a sign along the road to the notorious Kern River with the cumulative death toll since 1968. Last May, the sign was revised from 317 to 325, reflecting eight fatalities between 2022 and 2023.