Man Dies After Collapsing in the Ocean While Trying to Save Dog at One of California’s Most Dangerous Beaches

A man died earlier this week after attempting to save his dog from the ocean, according to officials.

On, Thursday, May 8, the San Francisco Fire Department received calls about a man who jumped into the water fully-clothed in order to rescue his dog from the waters of Ocean Beach, one of California’s deadliest beaches. As the man was in the water, he collapsed “for an unknown reason.”

“Two adult females entered the surf line and affected a successful rescue of this male and called 911 while providing life-saving measures,” officials added.

Local Ocean Rescue workers appeared moments later and began CPR before the San Francisco Fire Department and Fire Paramedics arrived and began administering advanced life support measures. 

The man, who has not been publicly identified yet, was transported to a local hospital in critical condition, but later died from his injuries. The dog he was trying to save exited the water on its own and is uninjured. 

The man was middle-aged, according to Sukai Curtis-Contreras, a paramedic and public information officer for the San Francisco Fire Department. She added that the 911 call came in shortly after 2 p.m. local time.

An official cause of death will be determined by the San Francisco Medical Examiner.

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“This is an unfortunate reminder not to enter the water for humans or pets but rather, to call 911,” authorities warned.

There have been eight deaths at the beach between 2014 and 2020, according to National Weather Service data.

The San Francisco Fire Department did not immediately respond to a request for additional comment about the incident.