Teen Missing After Rogue Wave Hits San Francisco Beach

Teenage surfer credited with helping to save man and his nephew

Rescuers are searching for a young swimmer after a 17-year-old surfer helped pull two others from the water at San Francisco's Ocean Beach.

Firefighters on the scene said two cousins were in the water on Wednesday afternoon when a rogue wave hit the boys and pulled them into the ocean. The father of one of the boys rushed in to try and save them, even though he cannot swim.

One of the cousins, a 14-year-old named Marco, is still in the water, a fire official said.

Officials late Wednesday said three boats continued to patrol the water off of Ocean Beach and were expected to continue searching overnight. Additional resources will be brought in to search for the missing teen Thursday morning.

(Editor's note: The Coast Guard resumed its search Thursday morning. Updates will be posted here.)

Surfer Tony Barbero said he was in the water when he noticed some people needed help.

“I took the kid onto my board, and I looked back out and asked the kid if his dad could swim and he said no,” Barbero said.

The boy Barbero helped pull from the sea was actually the man's nephew. Barbero said he didn't see the man's son.

The distressed swimmers were first reported at 3:53 p.m. in the water off of Lincoln Way.

The father was transported to the hospital after being resuscitated by first responders. His nephew is said to be in good condition.

A U.S. Coast Guard boat and helicopter responded to the scene to assist fire crews with the water rescue, the fire official said.

Ocean Beach is known for being one of the most dangerous shorelines in the country. Battalion Chief Marty Ross said “this happens too much.”

“People, they come out here, they take this for granted,” Ross said. “This is very dangerous out here. It’s no joke.”

Bay City News contributed to this report.

Contact Us