10 young swimmers, 2 trapped teens rescued by Newport lifeguards

Newport Beach lifeguards rescued 10 young swimmers when strong currents pulled them away from the shore on Memorial Day.

Some members of the group panicked as the current pulled them toward deeper water around 12:20 p.m., according to Newport Beach Fire Department spokeswoman Jennifer Manzella.

About a half-dozen lifeguards and a rescue boat crew headed into the water near Tower 18, Manzella said.

The crew pulled all 10 swimmers onto the boat and took them back to shore. One was evaluated by paramedics, Manzella said.

Another rescue about three hours later involved almost 20 firefighters and lifeguards.

Two teenagers were trapped on Ladder Rock near Cameo Shores when the tide came in, Manzella said. A boat took the teens to shore uninjured, according to fire officials.

The National Weather Service had warned that swells could create rip currents along the coast through Monday.

— Jeremiah Dobruck

Twitter: @jeremiahdobruck