A group of lifeguards practicing cliff rescues along the San Diego coast got some real-life training Monday when three men nearly drowned just down the road.
Witnesses say two men in their mid-20s, dressed in jeans, ran into the water near Hill Street and Sunset Cliffs Boulevard at about 3:50 p.m.
"They were screaming for help forever and when the lifeguards were coming, I mean that guy's head was barely above the water," said Nicole Harper.
Harper was the one who called 911. She and Kyle McBride could hear screaming from the shore.
The three men soon ran into trouble and began fighting through the large surf and strong rip currents off the cliffs. Their friend, another man in his mid-20s, rushed in to help them but got caught up himself, becoming the worst off.
Dispatchers called in the lifeguards working not far from the men. They were on the scene within two minutes.
One man was taken away by helicopter, another was lifted out by a large yellow crane poised on the cliffs and the third was carried out by stretcher.
Local
"When it happens you're ready for it, you just shut off and get into that routine and go for it," said Lt. Rich Stropky with San Diego Lifeguards.
All three men are considered near drowning victims, authorities say.
Apparently out of town visitors, they showed up in jeans and unprepared for the dangerous waves at the bottom of the dangerously steep cliffs.
At last check, two of the victims were in serious condition according to officials. The third was able to walk up the cliffs after the rescue.
