Rescue crews attempted to save the surfer but he was pronounced dead at the scene. Photo: Scott Safechuck//SBC Fire Info
According to reports, the body of a surfer was found off Gaviota in Santa Barbara, California on Thursday afternoon. At 1:41 pm, the Santa Barbara County Fire department listed a water emergency incident. Although details are still murky about the cause of death, the man was still leashed to his surfboard when he was found.
Rescue crews were dispatched after they received a call of a surfboard floating about 100 yards from shore near the kelp beds in the waters off Gaviota State Park, just west of Refugio Beach.
An adult male was found subsurface, attached to the leash. The victim was transported by rescue watercraft to Refugio Beach and pronounced deceased. Photo: Scott Safechuck//SBC Fire Info
“Approximately three-quarters of a mile west of Refugio Beach, Gaviota Coast, SBC Fire Ocean Rescue, CA State Lifeguards, SB Sheriff’s Office, and AMR responded for a report of a surfboard – 100 yards offshore near the kelp bed,” wrote Scott Safechuck, the Santa Barbara County Public Information Officer. “SBC ASU Copter 308 located the board, guiding rescue watercraft in. An adult male was found subsurface, attached to the leash. The victim was transported by rescue watercraft to Refugio Beach and pronounced deceased.”
This is a developing story. We’ll have more information as it becomes available.
