Swimmer off of Laguna Beach coast dies despite big rescue effort

A 27-year-old man died after lifeguards found him unresponsive in the ocean at Table Rock Beach in Laguna Beach Sunday night, July 14.

Two men had entered the water at the South Laguna beach and only one came out, said Division Chief Api Weinert with the Laguna Beach Fire Department.

First-responders were called at 7:40 p.m.

Dozens of lifeguards, sheriff’s deputies, park rangers and firefighters responded. About 50 minutes later, the man was found 100 feet from the coast.

He was flown to Mission Hospital in Mission Viejo by sheriff’s helicopter with Laguna Beach Fire Department paramedics continuing to provide life-saving efforts, Weinert said.

He was pronounced dead at Mission Hospital.