1 Dies after 4 Swept into Ocean in Redondo Beach

Four people were swept into the ocean in Redondo Beach, and one died, it was reported Thursday.

Multiple witnesses contacted firefighters around 11:15 p.m. Wednesday reporting there were people in the ocean calling for help, said Redondo Beach fire Division Chief Mark Winter. Harbor Patrol responded and found four people at the base of the break wall.

A rescue swimmer dived into the water to aid with the rescue effort and found two men and two women in serious condition, according to the fire department.

All four people were loaded onto the rescue boat and transported back to the Harbor Patrol dock, where paramedics awaited them. One man was pronounced dead and the remaining three were transported to a hospital in serious condition, Winter said. His name was withheld, pending family notification.

A high surf advisory warning of big waves and strong rip currents went into effect Wednesday and is scheduled to expire at 10 Thursday.

--City News Service, photo via Shutterstock