Fisherman dies at Rodeo Beach in Marin County; surfer pulled victim from water

Fisherman dies at Marin County beach

A fisherman died at Marin County's Rodeo Beach on Tuesday when he was swept into the ocean by a wave, officials say. A surfer pulled the man's body from the water and bystanders tried to perform CPR, but the fisherman died at the scene. A beach hazard alert remains in effect along the coast through late Wednesday morning.

RODEO BEACH, Calif. - A fisherman died at Marin County's Rodeo Beach on Tuesday afternoon. A witness said a surfer spotted the man in the water, pulled him out and tried to resuscitate him.

A battalion chief with Southern Marin Fire said first responders also tried to save the man's life, but he died at the scene.

Fire officials said they received the call at 3:30 p.m.

Authorities initially had reports that there was a second person in the water, but those reports were later determined to be unfounded.

Fisherman dies at Rodeo Beach in Marin County; surfer pulled victim from water

A fisherman died at Marin Countys Rodeo Beach on Tuesday afternoon after several people tried to rescue the victim by getting him out of the water and performing CPR, officials say.

The fisherman had been fishing at Rodeo Beach in the Marin Headlands. A witness said they were fishing from rocks on the beach when a large wave swept the man into the water.

A surfer found the victim, pulled him out of the water and tried to resuscitate him. The victim died at the scene. This witness account was confirmed by Southern Marin Fire Department Battalion Chief Jason Golden.

Golden said after the initial two reports that there were a man and woman in the water, they began a water search that lasted about 45 to 50 minutes.

Rodeo Beach fatality: Search and rescue called off

Initial reports of a 2nd person in the water were determined to be unfounded after one person died at Marin Countys Rodeo Beach on Tuesday afternoon.

The US Coast Guard and the Kentfield Fire Department worked on the rescue effort that was called off at around 6 p.m. after learning no one else was pulled into the water.

Golden said a third person produced credible video of the fisherman fishing. That's when they made the determination that the recreational fisherman was alone.

The battalion chief said the fisherman had actually warned someone else not to get too close to the water before he was swept out himself.

Jaycob Milstein of Novato said he surfs at Rodeo Beach almost daily and not conditions can be treacherous,, "I like to watch out for rip currents and also along the rocks here. If the waves are big, it's pretty dangerous."

Authorities said this deadly incident is a reminder to never underestimate the power of the ocean and don't turn your back to it.

"Need to be mindful of the ocean because the ocean is incredibly unpredictable. We need to be careful. And I feel very sad and very sorry for his family," said Angelina David who says she visits the beach frequently with her dog.

1 dead at Rodeo Beach in Marin County, crews search for 2nd person

Fire officials in Marin County say a person was pulled from the water by bystanders who then gave the victim CPR at Rodeo Beach on Tuesday. Crews are searching for a 2nd person.

Authorities have not released the identity of the fisherman who they said appeared to be in his seventies.

SkyFOX flew above the scene for a better vantage point of the situation.

There is currently a beach hazard alert until 11 a.m. Wednesday along the coast. This can produce rip currents or sneaker waves, which are known to be dangerous and have pulled people into the ocean. Meteorologist Mark Tamayo included wave heights of 6 to 8 feet in his forecast. Authorities remind you not to turn your back on the ocean, especially during these conditions.