Man Injured in Santa Monica Bay Waverunner Accident Rescued by Emergency Responders

A man injured in a waverunner accident in Santa Monica Bay was successfully rescued by a team of emergency responders on Friday, April 21, 2023. Santa Monica Police Harbor Patrol Officers, Los Angeles County Lifeguards, Los Angeles Fire Department, and Los Angeles Sheriffs Department all collaborated in the daring rescue operation.

At approximately 4:30 pm, SMPD Harbor Officers responded to a report of a jet ski collision half a mile offshore of the Santa Monica Pier, with one person unconscious and in the water. Upon arriving at the scene, the Harbor Officers found the victim, a male aged between 40-50, unconscious and unresponsive in the water with two friends clinging to his lifejacket, struggling to keep the victim's head above water. The victim had a deep laceration to the left side of his forehead and was bleeding moderately. Witnesses reported that two jet skis had collided head-on, with a speed of approximately 10-15mph.

Santa Monica Harbor Services Officers Kingsbury and Sardisco sprang into action, communicating with the US Coast Guard and LA County Lifeguards while HSO Sardisco entered the water to rescue the victim. LA County Baywatch was en route, and the HSOs decided to extricate the victim onto the larger LA County vessel. The victim was brought to the West End of the Pier, where he was loaded into a stokes basket and hoisted to the pier deck with assistance from HSO Marshall and Buchanan. The Santa Monica Fire Department Paramedics took over patient care, and the victim was ultimately transported to a local hospital by ambulance.

The successful execution of this ocean rescue operation was the result of the skills gained during a host of interagency training opportunities by SMPD and its partners. The Santa Monica Harbor patrol officers were the first to respond to the scene and were soon joined by Los Angeles County Lifeguards, who worked together to ensure the victim's safe rescue.

This successful rescue operation is a testament to the bravery and dedication of these skilled emergency responders, who saved the man's life and prevented a potentially tragic outcome. The incident is also a reminder of the importance of water safety and the crucial role that emergency responders play in ensuring the safety of everyone who enjoys Santa Monica Bay.