Oceanside CA— Just before 3:15 this afternoon, October 24, 2020, the Oceanside Fire Department and Lifeguard Division were dispatched to an Ocean Rescue in the area of Oceanside Lifeguard Tower 14. The report called into 9-1-1 was very vague due to a language barrier.
Lifeguards arrived on scene two minutes later to what appeared to be a mass rescue. Two lifeguards entered the water to find out that most of the people in danger were good Samaritans trying to find two people that were missing. Once Lifeguards established they had two missing swimmers, a “CODE X (confirmed missing swimmers) was called. The United States Coast Guard was alerted and started to deploy a helicopter from San Diego to aid the search.
Line searches were established by life guards and the two victims were found. One was found by a good Samaritan on a stand-up paddleboard. Lifeguards retrieved the victim from the paddle board and brought the adult female swimmer to shore. The other victim, an adult male was found by the Oceanside Police rescue boat.
The female victim was assessed and released by Oceanside Lifeguards and Paramedics. The male victim was transported via ambulance to Tri-City Medical Center by Oceanside Firefighter/Paramedics. No report of his condition was released.
No lifeguard personnel were injured on scene.