Cal Fire, along with Monterey County Sheriff's deputies, State Park lifeguards, and California Highway Patrol officers, responded around 5:50 p.m. today to reports that three victims had been pulled into the water at Monastery Beach, near Carmel Highlands.
Upon their arrival, rescue officials found seven total victims required assistance. A strong rip tide pulled at least two victims into the water, and two other civilians attempted a rescue but were pulled into the water themselves. Strong waves helped push those two back toward the beach, according to Cal Fire.
In a separate incident on the other end of the beach, three victims were pulled into the water.
Of the seven total victims, three required CPR and four total were transported to the Community Hospital of Monterey Peninsula. Two victims were transported to Salinas Valley Memorial Hospital.
Rescue officials remind the public to always swim at a lifeguard-protected beach, never swim alone, and be extremely cautious. If caught in a rip tide, rescue officials recommend never fighting against the current, and swim out of the current in a direction following the shoreline.
They also remind the public to refrain from attempting rescues, and instead contact authorities.
