Man dies at hospital after being rescued from ocean in Laguna Beach

A 52-year-old man died at a hospital after he was found struggling in the water off 1000 Steps Beach in Laguna Beach, on Saturday, July 14, authorities said.

About 10:45 a.m., a lifeguard responded to a swimmer in distress about 100 yards off shore at the 10th Street tower, said Jason Young, a spokesman for OC Lifeguards.

The lifeguard fought through heavy surf to get to the victim and bring him back to shore, said Steve Concialdi, fire captain with the Orange County Fire Authority.

The man, identified as Brian Riggs of Aliso Viejo, lost consciousness sometime after he was brought back to shore and went into full cardiac arrest. The lifeguard immediately began performing cardiopulmonary resuscitation, Young said.

Paramedics with the Laguna Beach Fire Department and the Orange County Fire Authority arrived and continued advanced life support, Concialdi said.

An OCFA helicopter landed on the sand and transported Riggs to Mission Hospital in grave condition. The flight took an estimated five minutes, Concialdi said.

But the man died at the hospital, Young said.