Amazing video of beach rescue along Sonoma County coast

NEAR JENNER, Calif. (KTVU) - A life guard is being hailed a hero, for helping save members of a family that were caught by huge waves at Goat Rock State Beach, along the Sonoma County coast, near Jenner Friday afternoon. Kate Wilson of Santa Rosa, told the Press Democrat she went there to check out the high waves, and recorded the amazing rescue, which has since been posted on Youtube.

The Press Democrat reports that five members of the Viola family went too close to the shoreline, and was knocked over by a powerful wave. A second wave then hit a 25-year-old mother and her 7-year-old daughter, taking them further from the beach. Without hesititation, lifeguard Aaron Pendergraft jumped into the water, and held onto them, until a rescue helicopter plucked them one by one, to safety. Pendergraft has been a lifeguard for nearly two decades. He ended up in the hospital for a time with hypothermia, while holding the two on a flotation device for nearly 15 minutes, waiting for the chopper.The other 3 members of the family were able to make it ashore by themselves, or with some assistance.  

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=29XO43Bm2W4

The Press Democrat reports that five members of the Viola family went too close to the shoreline, and was knocked over by a powerful wave.

A second wave then hit a 25-year-old mother and her 7-year-old daughter, taking them further from the beach.

Without hesitation, lifeguard Aaron Pendergraft jumped into the water, and held onto them, until a rescue helicopter plucked them one by one, to safety.

Pendergraft has been a lifeguard for nearly two decades.

He ended up in the hospital for a time with hypothermia, while holding the two on a flotation device for nearly 15 minutes, waiting for the chopper.

The other 3 members of the family were able to make it ashore by themselves, or with some assistance.