Overview
- San Francisco Fire Department crews and National Park Service Ocean Rescue lifeguards pulled an adult male surfer from Ocean Beach after a 1:20 p.m. distress call on Thursday and took him to a hospital where he was later pronounced dead.
- An off‑duty NPS lifeguard and three on‑duty NPS Ocean Rescue lifeguards reached the surfer face down and not breathing and began repeated rounds of CPR before SFFD paramedics continued advanced life support.
- Officials have not released the victim’s identity and said the exact cause of death remains under investigation because deaths in these conditions can stem from drowning or unrelated medical events.
- A separate incident on Friday at Baker Beach sent a fisherman to the hospital in critical condition after a sneaker wave swept him offshore, and rescuers warned that sneaker waves can strike even when the water looks calm.
- The National Weather Service issued a beach hazards statement for San Francisco and the coastal North Bay warning of strong rip currents and sneaker waves, and officials advised people to avoid entering the surf unless they are experienced.