NEWPORT BEACH, Calif. — Lifeguards along more than 6 miles of pristine sand in this Southern California beach city had rescued more than 200 people by the time the call came to help a distressed swimmer east of one of the main piers.
“The waves were huge,” said Shirley Reinker.
She said lifeguards were telling people to enter water no deeper than their ankles.
Ben Carlson, a lifeguard with 15 years of experience, sped out with other guards in a rescue boat Sunday and jumped into the water, but he quickly disappeared under 10- to 12-foot waves when he and the swimmer were hit by a huge wave. The swimmer made it safely to shore.
The 32-year-old Carlson, a passionate surfer and one of the fastest swimmers on the 200-strong mostly seasonal lifeguard staff, was pronounced dead late Sunday after rescuers searched for him by air, water and foot for three hours.
“He just loved being out on the water. He loved the opportunity to help people,” said his father, Chris.
