Two San Diego teenagers sprang into action Saturday afternoon, rescuing a man floating face down in water dangerously close to breaking waves and rocks near the iconic La Jolla Cove.
Paul Gonzales, 17, a La Jolla resident, was with his family at the popular beach when his father, Paul Gonzales Sr., went to go put change into the meter around 3:30 p.m.
Paul Gonzales Sr. heard sirens and saw first responders rushing to the waters near La Jolla Cove.
He rushed over to the water and called his son, who was snorkeling with friends nearby.
One of his friends spotted the unconscious man and the two of them sprang into action to save him.
“I just swam to him as fast as I could,” Gonzales Jr. told NBC 7. “I wrapped my arm around him and I turned to the shore and started swimming as fast as I could. My friend Trevor joined me too. [I’m] sorry I couldn't see him sooner, get there sooner, pull him in sooner."
Gonzales Jr. told NBC 7 the current was stronger than normal.
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The teens pulled the man to the shore, where first responders rushed to help him. The man was taken to Scripps La Jolla Hospital in an unknown condition. As of Sunday morning, there is no update on his condition.
Gonzales Sr. said he was proud his son could help pull the man out of the water.
“[I’m] glad that he was able to act and try to help," Gonzales Sr. said. "Hopefully, you know, it’s a tragedy either way, but hopefully, he made a difference."
