Lifeguards Rescue Drowning Surfer Off SF Beach

SAN FRANCISCO, CA — A surfer was hospitalized in critical condition after drowning off the coast of San Francisco's Ocean Beach Thursday afternoon, authorities said.

An off-duty National Park Service lifeguard and three on-duty lifeguards were surfing in the area around 1:20 p.m. when they noticed another surfer waving them down, according to the San Francisco Fire Department.

The NPS lifeguards headed towards them, and that's when they found another surfer in the water, face down, unconscious and not breathing, fire officials 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 for treatment, fire officials said.

"The San Francisco Fire Department commended the quick actions of both the off-duty and on-duty ocean patrol lifeguards, as well as the early 911 callers, emphasizing their essential role in rescuing the surfer," fire officials said.