Overview
- The rescue occurred just after 9 a.m. off The Hook at Pleasure Point near Santa Cruz, according to the Central Fire District.
- Crews from the Central Fire District, California State Parks, Santa Cruz Harbor Patrol and Santa Cruz Fire deployed rescue swimmers and a Harbor Patrol vessel.
- Rescuers found the victim submerged with head and facial trauma, removed him to the Harbor Patrol boat and performed CPR at the harbor.
- The second surfer returned to shore without injury, and the injured man was taken by ambulance to Dominican Hospital with his condition not released.
- High surf from a strong storm and king tides near a six-foot high tide prevented a beach landing, and the victim’s board was later found smashed on nearby rocks.