Bodysurfer Dies After Being Pulled Unconscious From Crescent Bay Surf
The 41-year-old Laguna Beach man was the third ocean fatality of the summer, and lifeguards say the coming El Nino swell will make the water even less forgiving.
A 41-year-old man who was pulled unconscious from the surf at South Crescent Bay on Aug. 26 has died, authorities said, marking the third ocean fatality of the summer in Laguna Beach waters.
Laguna Beach Marine Safety personnel pulled the man from the water around 4:20 p.m. on Wednesday, Aug. 26. "The individual had been bodysurfing at the beach leading up to the incident and was in cardiac arrest after being carried to shore by lifeguards," the Department of Marine Safety said in a statement. Marine Safety and Fire Department crews performed CPR on the scene before the man was transported by ground ambulance to Mission Hospital Laguna Beach. His death was confirmed the following day.
The Orange County Sheriff's Department later identified the man as Justin Anand Shahani of Laguna Beach.
Red flags were flying along Crescent Bay that day, warning beachgoers to stay out of the water unless they had significant ocean experience. A National Weather Service beach hazard statement was in effect for Orange County and San Diego County beaches, warning of elevated surf of 3 to 5 feet with sets up to 7 feet, dangerous rip currents and minor coastal flooding.
Marine Safety Capt. Dane Doran urged caution as the fall surf season builds. "Our beaches in Laguna are beautiful but they can be very, very dangerous," Doran said. "Steps that people can take to stay safe are checking their local reports and talking to the lifeguard when they get to the beach."
Witnesses described the frantic moments before lifeguards reached the man. Andrii Mahera told reporters he was relaxing on the beach when he noticed the swimmer struggling, and said that while first responders performed CPR, "water came from [his] mouth, and he didn't wake up." Another witness, Eric Zueger, who recorded video of the rescue, said the bodysurfers had gone in as the larger waves died down: "When the waves start to billow you can't see anything. It comes one wave, next wave, next wave. At that point, there's no chance to get out of it."
The death followed two earlier tragedies this summer. In June, a 5-year-old girl was swept into the ocean along with her mother and brother during dangerous surf at Treasure Island Beach, and her body was found days later about three miles away. Weeks before the bodysurfer incident, a swimmer disappeared off Crescent Bay and was found an hour later by the Marine Safety dive team; he too was transported to Mission Hospital and pronounced dead.
Lifeguards are bracing for a difficult season. With a very strong El Niño forecast and hurricane swells already producing elevated surf and tides approaching seven feet, Marine Safety is warning that conditions can turn dangerous with little notice. The department's standing advice applies every day of the year: check the surf report, watch the flags, and ask the lifeguard before going in.
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