Beachgoer swims through frigid surf trying to save surfers in California, police say
A brave beachgoer jumped into cold, choppy waters off a California beach to save two struggling surfers, police said and news outlets reported.
His son helped him bring one of the surfers to shore while the dad jumped back in for the second surfer, according to a Pacifica Police Department news release.
“I jumped in, swam out there. By the time I got to one of the guys, I noticed the other one was floating upside down,” Nico Barragan told ABC7.
Other beachgoers started CPR, and then Barragan and others saw the second swimmer struggling, he told the outlet.
“Me and another person ran out, got the second guy, put him on the surf board and drug him back in,” he told the outlet.
It happened just before 3 p.m. on Sunday, Nov. 6 at Pacifica State Beach, also known as Linda Mar Beach. It’s a popular surf spot.
A strong storm was moving in at the time, CBS Bay Area News reported. The area saw a high temperature of 59 degrees and a low of 50 that day, according to AccuWeather.
The first surfer they pulled from the water did not recover, despite “exhaustive lifesaving efforts,” police said.
The second surfer was treated at a hospital and later released, the release said.
The San Mateo County Coroner’s Office and police are investigating the first surfer’s death, the release said.
The coroner’s office identified him as Jose Aguilar, 44, of San Bruno, the Pacifica Tribune reported.
He died a day “before the National Weather Service issued a High Surf Advisory for Bay Area beaches,” the outlet reported.
Police ask anyone with information about the case to contact them at 650-738-7314 and refer to case 22-3073.
This story was originally published November 11, 2022 at 2:22 PM with the headline "Beachgoer swims through frigid surf trying to save surfers in California, police say."
