Bystanders Rescue Unresponsive Man Off Lighthouse Point In Santa Cruz

SANTA CRUZ, CA — Bystanders rescued an unresponsive man from the ocean at Steamer Lane Tuesday evening, Santa Cruz fire officials said. Around 7:40 p.m. bystanders reported seeing the young man struggling within 75 feet of Its Beach, just north of Steamer Lane and Lighthouse Point.

An off-duty marine rescue unit member with Santa Cruz Fire who was biking on West Cliff Drive saw the rescue underway and made his way down to the beach to help, Santa Cruz fire Division Chief Jason Hajduk said. The off-duty marine rescue unit member, who also works as a firefighter-paramedic for an adjoining fire agency, started to administer CPR after he realized that the man was not breathing and had no pulse.

Arriving paramedics provided advanced life support to the man, who was on full cardiac arrest on the beach.
Crews carried the man in a Stokes basket up a steep set of stairs to the top of the cliff. The man, who was in full cardiac arrest on the beach, was taken to Dominican Hospital around 8:15 p.m., where he remains this afternoon. He was in critical condition on Tuesday night, Hajduk said.

The man had reportedly been jumping into the ocean with a group of others when he began struggling in the water. Hajduk noted that at this time of year, Santa Cruz still sees wintertime ocean conditions, including the size of the surf and the temperature of the water, despite the warm summertime beach conditions.

By Bay City News

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