Laguna Beach rocked by tragic death as body pulled from dangerous ocean waves

A bodysurfer died after being pulled from the waves at Laguna Beach, authorities said.

Lifeguards pulled out the unconscious man from the water at South Crescent Bay beach around 4:30 p.m. Wednesday.

“The individual had been bodysurfing at the beach leading up to the incident and was in cardiac arrest after being carried to shore by lifeguards,” the Laguna Beach Department of Marine Safety said in a statement.

Marine Safety and Fire Department officials performed CPR on the unidentified man, who was taken to Mission Hospital Laguna Beach but did not survive.

Witness Andrii Mahera told CBS News he had been relaxing on the beach when he first noticed the man struggling in the water, saying he and lifeguards rushed to his rescue.

“I saw the guy was like sinking,” he told the outlet. He said that while first responders performed CPR, “water came from [his] mouth, and he didn’t wake up.”

The Orange County coroner also confirmed they were responding to a drowning in Laguna Beach and that someone had died, the news outlet reported.

On Wednesday, red flags flew along Crescent Bay, warning beachgoers to stay out of the water unless they had significant ocean experience.

In June, a 5-year-old girl died after being swept into the ocean along with her mother and brother during dangerous surf conditions at nearby Treasure Island Beach.

Amada Mia Brown was pulled out to sea as rescuers frantcially searched for the little girl.

Her family was walking on the sand when a large wave surged and swept all three into the water.

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