A man swimming at Sand Dollar Beach in Big Sur was pronounced dead despite resuscitation efforts by rescuers. According to KSBW 8, the man was reported missing around 1 p.m. on Tuesday, October 13.
The report triggered a response from the Big Sur Fire Department and the Coast Guard. Upon arrival, rescuers searched for 20 minutes before finding the victim on the rocky shoreline. The rescue teams administered CPR to no avail.
“The ocean is unforgiving, especially with the large tidal movements. And right now we have a pretty good-sized northwest swell. The rocks are very slippery. The swell is very powerful. And just be careful and know your limitations,” Big Sur Fire Chief Matt Harris told KSBW 8.
Sand Dollar Beach is a popular camping and surfing area on the Big Sur coast. According to Surfline, waves were eight to 12 feet on Tuesday, with a combination of swells from the Northern and Southern Hemispheres. Additionally, there was a rather high tide of 5.7 feet at 11:37 a.m., dropping fast to an evening low, which could have created strong currents.
The man’s identity has not been released, and the events that led to the drowning are under investigation.
