A San Diego lifeguard who nearly drowned while trying to save a group of fishermen after their boat capsized in La Jolla said he was terrified during the challenging rescue, but determined to pull the men out alive.
"I was scared out of my brains, especially when I got down there and saw and felt how big it [the surf] was. I couldn't really see," Senior Lifeguard John Bahl told NBC 7 in an exclusive interview Friday night.
Bahl was the first lifeguard to arrive at Windansea Beach Wednesday evening after a large wave capsized a 25-foot boat carrying five fishermen.
Bahl pulled two of the fishermen out of the water, while another crew rescued two others. He said it was the riskiest rescue he's ever attempted in his career as a lifeguard, as he faced 12 to 15-foot waves crashing down upon him.
"You want to help people and do the best that you can. You can't always save everyone but I was determined to try," Bahl said.
According to witnesses, Bahl nearly drowned in his attempt to save the fishermen. He swallowed so much saltwater, the lifeguard had to be hospitalized that night, along with the four fishermen.
Bahl said he suffered a respiratory infection from swallowing so much water. He was released from the hospital the next day and is now treating his infection with antibiotics.
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The lifeguard is grateful to be alive, but his heart is heavy for the fifth fisherman -- the man who did not make it.
The owner of the boat, San Diego resident Tony Nguyen, 42, disappeared at sea the night of the boating incident. After an extensive search by multiple agencies, including the U.S. Coast Guard, the San Diego Fire-Rescue Department (SDFD) and San Diego Lifeguards, Nguyen's body was found Friday in the water near Palomar Avenue.
Nguyen leaves behind four children and a family grieving his death. He was the only fisherman aboard the boat not wearing a life jacket at the time of the incident.
Bahl said he feels for Nguyen's family.
"It's a terrible loss," Bahl said, fighting back tears. "Look at me. I have a family. It makes me think about how precious life is. Just terribly sad for him."
Bahl will recover through this weekend, and plans to head back to work on Tuesday to teach a class about cliff rescues.
