Surfer Dies Following Rescue Off SF Beach

SAN FRANCISCO, CA — A surfer has died after being rescued off the coast of San Francisco's Ocean Beach on Thursday afternoon, authorities said.

Another person in the water alerted authorities to the distressed surfer around 1:20 p.m.

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A National Park Service lifeguard who was off-duty, and three on-duty lifeguards, swam towards the distressed surfer, who was face down, unconscious and not breathing, the San Francisco Fire Department said.

The lifeguards immediately initiated rescue protocol and began life-saving measures while taking the surfer back to the shoreline, fire officials said.

Paramedics arrived soon after and continued with advanced life support before taking the surfer to a local hospital, where he died, fire officials said.

It's unclear how the surfer wound up unconscious. The surfer's identity was not publicly released, and his cause of death has yet to be confirmed.

A a rip current advisory was issued in San Francisco on Thursday before the rescue. The advisory is expected to last through late Friday night.

Rip current waves are powerful and can drag strong swimmers away from the shore, officials said.

"Stay off of jetties, piers, rocks, and other waterside infrastructure," according to weather officials. "Remain out of the water to avoid hazardous surf and NEVER turn your back on the ocean."

Bay City News contributed to this report.