A 47-year-old woman drowned Sunday evening at Cowell Ranch State Beach, California. The woman lived in the East Bay area. Her name was not yet made public by the police.
According to a news release (pdf) from the San Mateo County Sheriff’s Office, emergency crews responded to Cowell Ranch Beach at approximately 6:30 p.m. after receiving a report of a woman being swept into the ocean. Personnel from the sheriff’s office, Coastside Fire, American Medical Response, and California State Parks performed a water rescue and initiated medical care, but were unable to revive the woman. She was pronounced dead at the scene.
The victim was taking pictures of young family members when three children were carried out into the waves by an undertow. She then went into the ocean in an attempt to save them, but was swept out into the water herself. Other family members brought the three children safely back to shore, but couldn’t save the 47-year-old woman, reported SFGate.
After the tragic accident, the San Mateo County Sheriff’s Office shared important information about beach safety on their Facebook page: “please be careful when visiting any beaches along the coast as rogue waves and rip currents can happen almost anywhere. Keep a close eye on children when by the water and do not turn your back to the waves.” They also provided an extra link from the California Department of Parks and Recreation to remind beachgoers about ocean safety.