Surfer, 13, Rescued After Waves Slam Him Into Manhattan Beach Pier

MANHATTAN BEACH (CBSLA.com) — A 13-year-old surfer was rescued Sunday after strong currents swept him into the pilings of the Manhattan Beach Pier.

The male victim was surfing on the south side of the pier when fellow surfers spotted him and came to his aid, yelling for assistance, according to lifeguards.

"A cluster of surfers were screaming, 'We need help! We need help! We need help!'" a woman who witnessed the rescue told CBS2/KCAL9's Greg Mills.

Rescuers used a surfboard to pull the victim onto the beach, where he lay unconscious but breathing.

"We saw him coming out of the water and he was completely limp," the eyewitness said. "He had blood on his face and on his ear. It was very scary."

The boy was being treated at UCLA Medical Center Sunday.

Rip currents and strong waves made swimming conditions treacherous for the throngs of beach-goers trying to escape the latest heat wave.

Lifeguards urge swimmers and surfers to stay away from the pilings.

"It is a big hazard," said lifeguard Lidia Barillas, a 13-year veteran who helped rescue the boy.

Lifeguards say they made 13 rescues Sunday at Manhattan Beach alone.