Beach patrol defusing military flare saves 4 at Ocean Beach!
Four teenagers trapped in a riptide were rescued by a a beach patrol unit at Ocean Beach today, after being warned earlier in the day to get out of the water! The waters off San Francisco are dangerous year round, but especially so in the fall, when riptides get stronger and warmer weather (one of our closely guarded 
secrets) attracts beach-goers into deeper water. SFGate.com says:
Around 2:30 p.m., National Park Police responded to reports of an unexploded piece of ordnance on the beach, said Alexandra Picavet, a spokeswoman for the National Parks Service. As police and beach patrol units cordoned off the area around the flare, a passerby alerted them to swimmers in the water that appeared to be in trouble, Picavet said.
The teens weren’t far from where the flare had been found, so members of the beach patrol hopped in the water and helped them to safety without incident, Picavet said.
None of the four girls rescued were seriously injured, but they were taken to a hospital for observation.
“It only takes 6 inches of moving water to knock over a full-grown adult and, once you’re down, the rip currents can pull you out very quickly,” she said. “Everyone is this situation was extremely lucky to come away healthy and cared for.”
The military flare was detonated without incident.
Cheshire Cat Photo™ – “Your Guide to California’s Wonderland™”
You can view higher-resolution photos at the Cheshire Cat Photo Gallery on SmugMug, where you can also order prints in a HUGE variety of sizes and types, even on canvas and metal! The Cheshire Cat Photo Store on Zazzle® contains a wide variety of apparel and gifts decorated with our images of California. All locations are accessible from here. LIKE Cheshire Cat Photo on Facebook here! If you don’t see what you want or would be on our email list for updates, send us an email at info@cheshirecatphoto.com. Follow us on Twitter at @cheshirkat and on Instagram at: cheshirkat
