14-year-old boy dies after being pulled from water near SF's Crissy field

ByLiz Kreutz KGO logo
Tuesday, June 11, 2019
14-year-old boy dies after being pulled from water near SF's Crissy field
A 14-year-old boy has died after rescue crews pulled him from the water unconscious and performed life-saving measures on Monday, fire officials said.

SAN FRANCISCO (KGO) -- A 14-year-old boy has died after rescue crews pulled him from the water unconscious and performed life-saving measures on Monday, fire officials said.

Around 2 p.m., first responders received a report about a missing teen boy near Crissy Field.

San Francisco Fire Department said the boy was reported to be struggling in the water.

Authorities said the boy was at the beach with a group of friends who tried to rescue him when they saw he went under water. They called 911 when they could not find him.

Cristine Balderston was on the beach when it happened. She jumped in to help.

"I was in the water swimming around trying to find him for about five or 10 minutes before the rescue team got there," Balderston said. "I just wanted to help any way I could and I wish I would have been able to."

The boy reportedly did not know how to swim.

After about 90 minutes underwater, a rescue diver found the young man and brought him to shore. Paramedics tried to bring him back to life.

SFFD said he was transported to the California Pacific Medical Center, where he died.

With record heat across the Bay Area, more people are hitting the beaches. But safety is a top concern. At most San Francisco Beaches, there are no lifeguards.

"Why not throw some lifeguards here when the weather is like this, because you know the beaches get clogged," Matthew Stewart, who was at Crissy Field during the search and rescue, asked.

SFFD says it's important not to be fooled by a beautiful day.

"If you're coming to our coastlines, know before you go, our beaches are beautiful, however there are inherent dangers and hazards that are here," SFFD spokesperson Jonathan Baxter told reporters. "Always remember to swim with a friend, swim in groups. If you don't know how to swim, stay out of the water."