Authorities stressed that rocky areas can be dangerous, whether there is a beach hazards statement or not. Photo: SFFD // X
Rough seas and high swells bring the promise of surf. But they also increase the danger factor. California has seen a series of incidents where beachgoers have been swept into rough surf, despite a series of beach hazard warnings along the coast. This week, a mother and child were hospitalized after being swept into the ocean by a sneaker wave at a San Francisco beach.
The incident occurred at Baker Beach on Thursday afternoon. According to a social media post from the San Francisco Fire Department, a mother and her preteen child were walking near the rocks at about 3:15 p.m. when a wave unexpectedly surged and pulled them into the water.
San Francisco Fire Department crews responded to the call with a full surf rescue deployment. Upon arrival they found that the woman and child had already been retrieved from the water, but were in critical condition. “There were a lot of people surrounding her and they got her on a stretcher and had a CPR (device) on her face, and I heard them say she caught her breath,” Maria Flores, who witnessed the rescue, told ABC 7. The mother and daughter were then taken by paramedics to the hospital in serious condition.
The incident occurred shortly after the National Weather Service had issued a beach hazards statement for the area, but local authorities stressed that the area still has its hazards even under the best conditions. “Baker Beach is deceptive as it is usually not as aggressive as Ocean Beach. But, it does have its inherent hazards,” said Capt. Jonathan Baxter. “This occurred near the northeastern portion of Baker Beach, towards the rocky area. Again, part of our safety message is never go on rocks whether there’s a beach hazard statement or not.”
TWO RESCUED BAKER BEACH
San Francisco Fire Department crews responded to Baker Beach this afternoon following reports of a mother and preteen child knocked into the ocean by a sneaker wave.
Upon arrival, SFFD launched a full surf rescue deployment. Firefighters located the… pic.twitter.com/KhtRzzKzTM
— SAN FRANCISCO FIRE DEPARTMENT MEDIA (@SFFDPIO) June 18, 2026
