Newport Beach Lifeguard Ben Carlson Honored On Anniversary Of Death

NEWPORT BEACH, CA — Wednesday marked seven years since Newport Beach residents lost a valiant lifeguard to powerful ocean waves in 2014, and residents continue to remember his sacrifice today.

Newport Beach Lifeguard Ben Carlson was finishing up his last patrol of the day aboard an NBLG rescue boat on July 6 2014 when he and his partner spotted a distressed swimmer off the coast of Newport Beach. With 12-foot waves creating extremely dangerous swimming conditions, Carlson jumped into the water and swam a distance to bring the swimmer to safety.

However, when Carlson and the swimmer began making their way back to the lifeguard vessel, they were caught by a huge wave that separated them.

The swimmer was located quickly and rescued, but Carlson was nowhere to be found.

The 32-year-old lifeguard was found more than three miles away from the original rescue point after a three hour search conducted by Newport Beach Lifeguards, Fire, Police, Orange County Sheriff’s Harbor Patrol, Huntington Beach Lifeguards, Laguna Beach Lifeguards and State Parks.

According to reports, Carlson gave the struggling swimmer his buoy who was saved from the next crushing wave, but the lifeguard was drowned.

RELATED: Ben Carlson Memorial Statue Unveiling Draws Thousands to Newport Beach

Carlson was immortalized on 2014, after a nine-foot statue of Carlson was unveiled at Newport Beach's Benjamin M. Carlson Lifeguard Headquarters.

"The statue honors Ben's heroism, but also honors lifeguards, and is intended to help promote ocean water safety," Tara Finnigan, Assistant to the City Manager of Newport Beach said.

His was the first death in the line of duty in the 100-year history of the Newport Beach Lifeguard Department, according to reports.