CITY FOCUS: High waves lead to rescues

High waves and a strong surge over the weekend resulted in a number of rescues in Laguna Beach, including one fisherman who nearly drowned after he was swept off of rocks at Crescent Bay beach Feb. 24.

The waves were so strong they were reported breaking over the parking lot at Aliso Beach at 9:50 that night.

The fisherman, a 54-year-old Arizona man, was pulled several hundred yards out to sea at 4:42 p.m. and was rescued by two body-boarders from Murrietta, according to police records.

Mike Johns, 18, and Michael McLaughlin, 23, risked their lives to pull the man from a rip current, after which paramedics from Laguna Beach treated him. The fisherman was taken to South Coast Medical Center for further treatment.

Later that day, six people were stranded near Smithcliffs Road in North Laguna after huge waves covered the beach where they had been walking, Laguna Beach Police Sgt. Jason Kravetz said.

The party started out in Crescent Bay and headed north.

By the time they reached Emerald Bay, a gated community, the rising tide had made it impossible for them to turn back and retrace their steps, Kravetz said.

Police were called at 9:50 p.m. by residents on Smithcliffs Road who reported people yelling for help.

The fire department responded and cut a hole in a metal fence at the rear of one Smithcliffs home, and then used a ladder to bring the stranded beachgoers up to safety.

Over the weekend, lifeguards ordered several fishermen off the rocks in various locations in Laguna.

The high surf peaked around 3 a.m. Sunday.

On Monday, Main Beach was recontured with huge sand piles from waves that had reached the boardwalk, covering staircases nearly to the top.