Man, boy die after being swept into SF Bay by large waves
A wave breaks under the Golden Gate Bridge at high tide Thursday, Dec. 13, 2012 in Oakland, Calif. The National Weather Service says so-called King Tides ? caused by a rather unique combination of how the sun, the moon and the earth align ? will bring the highest tides of the year on Thursday, Friday and Saturday mornings. Along with the high tides, forecasters say a building swell will bring large breaking waves to area beaches. The San Francisco Chronicle reports the combination of high tides and surf has flooded some parking lots in San Francisco and in Marin County. (AP Photo/Ben Margot)
SAUSALITO, Calif. » A man and boy fishing near the Golden Gate Bridge died on Friday after being swept into the ocean by large waves, authorities said.
The unidentified pair and a third fisherman were pulled into the frigid waters on Friday just before 5 p.m., Southern Marin fire Battalion Chief Matt Barnes said.
They were on a rocky coastline just northwest of the bridge in the Marin Headlands, which is exposed to large swells rolling in from the Pacific.
“It’s not an ideal place to fish, it’s real rocky there,” Barnes said.
After getting thrashed by the waves, the third man managed to make it back to shore and flag down bystanders, who called 911.
Barnes did not know the relationship of the men, and said there was a language barrier which prevented an immediate interview of the survivor.
The man and boy were plucked from the water about 100 yards offshore by a Tiburon Fire Department boat, with a Coast Guard helicopter assisting.
The area is part of the Golden Gate National Recreation Area.
The Marin County Coroner’s Office is investigating the deaths, and did not return a call Friday night.
