Man Drowns When Caught in Riptide

A 48-year-old man from Anchorage, Alaska, drowned in the ocean off the Dana Point jetty Friday while swimming with his two sons, authorities said.

The man, whose name has not been released, and his 18- and 15-year-old sons were swimming off the breakwater when they were caught by a riptide about 3 p.m., according to Sheriff’s Lt. William Francis.

A resident heard the two sons calling for help and dialed 911. A launch was sent from the Dana Point Harbor Patrol to the area, 30 yards off the jetty, Francis said.

Deputies pulled all three swimmers from the ocean and gave the father emergency treatment on board. He was taken to Good Samaritan Hospital in San Clemente, where he was pronounced dead.

“It’s a dangerous place to be swimming, if that’s in fact what they were doing, said Sgt. J.R. Wilson, of the Sheriff’s Harbor Patrol. “The breakwater can get pretty treacherous.”