Wild Surf, Rocks Force Rescue Of 2 Teens At Newport Beach
NEWPORT BEACH (CBSLA.com) — Two teens were trapped and had to be rescued by Newport Beach first responders Sunday evening.
Newport Beach firefighters, paramedics and lifeguards -- 15 in all -- were involved in the rescue that occurred just before 7:30 p.m.
The two teens were trapped in a rocky, inaccessible jetty area with incoming tides of 4-5 feet. Moreover, officials said one of the teens, a female, had a serious head injury.
The rescuers, in various states of dress, were all thrown against rocks, risking their own safety, said authorities.
The rescue effort took place east of Tower #5 at Corona Del Mar State Beach, between Big and Little Corona Beach.
The female teen was transported by paddle board to an awaiting Sheriffs Harbor department boat in water 20-feet-deep. The operation was repeated to get the teenage male into the rescue boat.
The male and female -- from Los Angeles and Santa Ana respectively -- were both taken to the Harbor Department where they were treated by Newport Beach Fire Paramedics. Both of the stranded teens where then taken to Hoag Hospital's ER for further treatment and evaluation. There is no word on their current condition.
Authorities said first responders suffered "numerous scrapes." Newport Beach Lifeguard Captain Brian O'Rourke suffered "significant" bruising, swelling and cuts to his arms and legs.
