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Man Dies After Attempting to Rescue Dog at San Francisco’s Ocean Beach

The dog survived uninjured, while the man succumbed to his injuries despite rapid bystander intervention and emergency response.

File photo: a dog swims in the sea.
FILE: Ocean Beach and the Outer Sunset viewed from Fort Funston on June 26, 2023, in San Francisco. 
A San Francisco Surf Rescue team patrols Ocean Beach on Dec. 5, 2024. A man died Thursday after entering the surf at the beach in an attempt to rescue his dog, according to the San Francisco Fire Department.
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Overview

  • The incident occurred on May 8, 2025, near Lawton Street at Ocean Beach, known for its hazardous rip currents and cold waters.
  • The man, who entered the surf fully clothed to rescue his dog, collapsed for reasons that remain unclear.
  • Two women pulled the man from the water and provided life-saving measures until emergency responders arrived within minutes.
  • Emergency crews from the National Park Service and San Francisco Fire Department performed CPR and advanced life support, but the man later died at the hospital.
  • Officials reiterated warnings to call 911 instead of attempting water rescues, emphasizing the dangers of Ocean Beach's unpredictable surf conditions.