Man, 22, Drowns At Newport Beach

NEWPORT BEACH (CNS) — Despite a heroic rescue attempt, authorities say a 22-year-old man drowned while swimming near the beach at 18th Street Wednesday.

The man, who was from San Diego County's Pine Valley, went swimming with his girlfriend and got swept out to sea, Newport Beach police Sgt. Steve Burdette said.

"Sounds like we had a pretty high tide today, and he was taken under a
big wave," Burdette said. "The girlfriend made it to shore, but unfortunately
he did not. The waves hit him over and over again.

Witnesses told KCAL 9's Michele Gile that a surfer tried to reach the victim but that the victim slid off the board.

The call for help came in at 1:08 p.m., Burdette said.

The body washed up near 20th Street at 2:10 p.m., Burdette said.

Authorities were withholding the man's name.

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