Venice Swimmer Dies After Being Pulled from the Water

VENICE, CA - A 49-year-old man died after he and two other swimmers were pulled from the ocean off Venice Beach.

An autopsy was pending on the body of the man, whose name was not released pending family notification, said coroner's Lt. Larry Dietz.

Lifeguards responded about 5:30 p.m. Sunday to reports of three swimmers in distress north of Venice Pier, about 50 yards offshore, said Los Angeles County Fire Department spokeswoman Lidia Barillas.

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

Lifeguards grabbed the swimmers and began to bring them back toward shore when one of the swimmers 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. He was later pronounced dead at the hospital, according to Margaret Stewart of the Los Angeles Fire Department.

Officials did not know how long the trio had been in the water, Stewart said.

The surf at the time of the rescue was about 1 to 2 feet, Barillas said.

City News Service