A surfer in Oceanside, California, was slammed into rocks and knocked unconscious Saturday morning as dangerous hurricane-driven surf continued to pound the San Diego County coastline.
ABC 10News footage captured the frightening sequence as the surfer tried to make his way out of the water near the rocks. Benita Karo, who was walking along the beach and filming the waves, saw what was about to happen before he did.
See footage of the incident linked here and below:
“He was walking to exit out and he just, I seen this wave and it was a big giant wave and it was coming at him and he had no idea,” Karo told 10News.
Seconds later, the wave drove him into the rocks.
“Kind of like a head on collision against the rocks, it was so bad,” Karo said. “And then I’m like … waiting to see if he resurfaces and I just didn’t see him.”
Karo immediately yelled for help and moved closer to the water. When the surfer finally became visible again, the scene was even more alarming.
“And then I see him upside down face down in the water,” she said. “And he is clearly not conscious.”
Bystanders helped until first responders arrived. The surfer was transported to a hospital; officials had not released the extent of his injuries as of the latest report.
Related: Hurricane Polo Is So Powerful People Are Asking About ‘Category 6’ (Video)
The incident came amid elevated surf and powerful rip currents generated by Hurricanes Odalys and Polo. The National Weather Service forecast 3-to-5-foot surf across San Diego County Monday, with sets reaching 6 feet, and classified the rip-current risk as high. A coastal flood advisory remains in effect through Wednesday.
NWS meteorologist Chandler Price warned that larger sets can become especially dangerous around hard structures. “The further north you go, generally the bigger waves are going to be,” Price said, advising beachgoers to stay “off of rock walls and jetties.”
For Karo, the rescue was difficult to shake.
“I’m a little traumatized actually,” she said. “I keep replaying it in my mind.”
The video is a brutal reminder that even experienced surfers can quickly lose control when heavy water meets unforgiving rocks.
Related: Watch: Hurricane Polo Sends Gigantic Waves to Cabo San Lucas Arch
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