3 Drown Near Malibu After Being Hit By Sneaker Wave

MALIBU, CA — Three people died Thursday afternoon near Malibu after a large wave tossed them into the ocean.

Ventura County Fire Captain Brian McGrath said that three individuals were standing on a rock fishing on a beach near the intersection of Deer Creek Road and Pacific Coast Highway, near Point Mugu in an unincorporated part of Ventura County. A large wave tossed them into the ocean.

McGrath said that the three — whose names have not yet been released — came to the beach with a larger group who called 911 and attempted to rescue them. The incident happened in a section of the beach without lifeguards.

Ventura County Medic Engine 56 arrived at around 4:40 p.m., and quickly called in backup. Crews from the Coast Guard, the Ventura County Sheriff’s Department, the Los Angeles County Fire Department, and the Oxnard Fire Department arrived, and McGrath estimated that 50-60 first responders were present.

McGrath said that LA County Fire sent two helicopters with two rescue swimmers, the Coast Guard sent a Baywatch boat, and Ventura County sent an airship with a rescue swimmer. A portion of the Pacific Coast Highway near the incident was closed for roughly an hour.

McGrath said that the rescue swimmers got the three individuals to shore and medics tried to revive them, but they passed away.

The Ventura County Sheriff’s Department is handling an investigation of the incident.