1 Hospitalized after Lifeguards Rescue 3 Swimmers off Venice Beach

VENICE, CA - A man required CPR and was taken to a hospital today after lifeguards rescued him and two others as they were swimming in the ocean off Venice Beach, authorities said.

Lifeguards responded about 5:30 p.m. to reports of three swimmers in distress north of Venice Pier, about 50 yards offshore, according to Lidia Barillas, a spokeswoman for the Los Angeles County Fire Department's Lifeguard Division.

Rescue personnel found all three swimmers conscious and breathing, Barillas said.

Lifeguards grabbed the swimmers and had begun to bring them back toward shore when one of the swimmers, described only as a man in his late 40s, lost consciousness, Barillas said.

Lifeguards began CPR on the beach, and emergency responders continued CPR as the man was en route to a hospital, Barillas said.

An update on his condition was not immediately available.

City News Service