Oxnard Man Caught in Riptide Dies, Another Hurt
- Share via
POINT MUGU STATE PARK — A Memorial Day barbecue turned tragic Monday afternoon when an Oxnard man died after being caught in a riptide off Point Mugu State Park, authorities said. The man’s cousin was in critical condition after almost drowning while trying to rescue him.
Hansen Paialii, 44, was pronounced dead at St. John’s Regional Medical Center in Oxnard and Alex Talili, 35, was in critical condition.
Pacific Coast Highway two miles south of Mugu Rock was closed for 30 minutes in both directions during the afternoon as rescuers loaded the men aboard a Ventura County Sheriff’s Department helicopter for a flight to the hospital.
Witnesses said the pair were part of a large family gathering on Yung Hee Beach, a secluded county-owned area half a mile north of Deer Creek Road.
Shortly before 2 p.m., Paialii got caught up in the three- to five-foot surf and a riptide pulled him into a sharp rock formation about 50 yards offshore, officials said.
Talili went into the surf after him and was pounded against the rocks. Witnesses said he struggled for some time before being washed ashore.
Sign up for Essential California
The most important California stories and recommendations in your inbox every morning.
You may occasionally receive promotional content from the Los Angeles Times.
More From the Los Angeles Times
Podcasts
John Orr was a renowned fire investigator who was also a prolific arsonist, and whose thinly veiled novel helped to convict him. In this episode we hear from the fire captain who first suspected him—and from Orr himself.
Madison McGhee is joined by legendary Dateline host Josh Mankiewicz and esteemed L.A. Times Reporter Richard Winton as the three of them dive into all-things Menendez Brothers, the good, the bad, and the still unknown.
NPR climate editor Sadie Babits talks about why the media has long overlooked the climate crisis, and how that’s starting to change.
