Five rescued after being swept into water near Oceanside Pier

Five people were rescued — and three were rushed to hospitals — after they were swept into the water south of Oceanside Pier Friday afternoon, a city fire official said.

One of the victims was flown to a trauma center, and two others were taken to hospitals via ambulance, Battalion Chief Jeremy Brandt said.

“It was definitely a near drowning,” he said of the incident.

It was not immediately clear how the victims — part of the same party together at the beach — had been swept into the ocean, but it appears they were not that far into the water when it happened. “Sounds like it was potentially a rogue wave or some kind of change in the current,” Brandt said.

About 1:40 p.m., a bystander ran to the lifeguard headquarters to report seeing people in distress in the water, he said. The incident happened between Tower 1 and the pier, but seasonal staffing ended Labor Day, and no one was stationed at Tower 1.

A supervisor got all five people to the shore and ensured there were no other victims, Brandt said. Fire crews evaluated and treated the patients, two of whom declined further treatment.

“The quick response by lifeguards and firefighters, combined with the rapid notification from a bystander, played a critical role in preventing further tragedy,” the Oceanside Fire Department said in a news release.