Large Wave Knocks Teen Off Rocks and Out to Sea in Laguna Beach

Lifeguards and firefighters searched this afternoon for an 18-year-old man whose friends saw him go under the surface of the ocean amid heavy surf in Laguna Beach, authorities said.

According to the Orange County Register, the teen, who was visiting from Nevada was swept off the rocks by a large wave as his friends watched helplessly.

The victim, shirtless and wearing black shorts, was last seen in the water off Thousand Steps Beach about 1:35 p.m., said Capt. Steve Concialdi of the Orange County Fire Authority.

Lifeguards were searching the water in boats as sheriff’s and OCFA helicopters searched from the air for the missing teen. Ground-based Laguna Beach and OCFA firefighters also searched for him from the ground, Concialdi said.

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