submit a death
contact us
LOGIN
or
SIGN UP
MyDeathSpace.com
all
articles
forum
HOME
ARCHIVE
FORUM
MISSING PERSONS
CRIMINALS
Lifeguard Ben Carlson (32) drowned while attempting a rescue
Filed Under:
Drowning
Published: Jul 08, 2014 @ 7:42 PM
Ben Carlson (32)
Date:
Jul 06, 2014
Cause of Death:
Drowning
Location:
Newport Beach, CA
URL:
view their profile
A 15-year veteran of the Newport Beach Lifeguards last evening became the first city lifeguard to die in the line of duty.
That same morning, at the dog beach at the Santa Ana River mouth, I'd wondered, with the large waves crashing into shore, why so many surfboards (and surfers) remained on the beach. Turns out there were dangerous rip-current conditions along the coast, more of which is forecasted for today.
Carlson noticed a swimmer in distress in 6- to 8-foot surf and, as he is trained to do, dove in shortly before 5 p.m. Sunday. The 32-year-old lifeguard made contact with the unidentified man just as a large wave hit both. The swimmer was successfully pulled from the ocean and made a full recovery, but Carlson momentarily disappeared.
"The other lifeguard personnel at the scene attempted to rescue and assist Ben, but--due to the turbulent water conditions--they were unable to do so," says Jennifer Manzella, the Newport Beach Police Department spokeswoman, in a statement.
"Members of the Orange County Sheriff's Department Harbor Patrol, Laguna Beach Lifeguards, State Parks personnel, and the Newport Beach Police Department helicopter joined Lifeguard and Fire staff in the search for Ben. In all, 25 individuals conducted a search in the water, supported by 30 others on shore (including City Manager Dave Kiff) and air support."
Carlson was eventually located around 8 p.m. and rushed by Newport Beach paramedics to Hoag Hospital, where he died. Cause of death is presumed to be drowning, but the county coroner is conducting an autopsy to make that official.
City officials say Carlson is the first lifeguard to die in the line of duty in the history of Newport Beach Lifeguards. His chief told reporters this morning Carlson will be afforded all the honors of someone who belongs to that storied "brotherhood."
Related Article(s):
Ben Carlson Becomes First Newport Beach Lifeguard to Die in Line of Duty After Rescue
«
go back to article archive list
article loaded in 0 ms
Latest Articles
Former Notre Dame star and NFL player Louis Nix (29) found dead several days after going missing
Former Notre Dame and NFL football player Louis Nix, who had been reported missing earlier last week, was found dead on Saturday, family members told two Jacksonville television stations. He was 29.
read more...
Dispute over mask-wearing led to murder of Tulane Police Officer Martinus Mitchum, 38
A 35-year-old man was arrested Friday night for the murder of a policeman, according to Orleans Parish jail records and the NOPD.
read more...
Dalton Ramsey (19) found shot to death in a West Virginia residence
Detective Sgt. Steven Sommers identified the victims as Dalton Ramsey and Josh Williams, who both live in the county.
read more...
Dylan Millikan died from the effects of fentanyl and heroin
Manner ACCIDENT Cause A EFFECTS OF FENTANYL AND HEROIN
read more...
SF Programmer (Chris Woitel, 50) found dead in his apartment building over a month after he went missing
The body of Christopher Woitel, 50, was discovered "hidden from plain view" in a 3-foot-high crawl space above his bathroom, police said.
read more...