Celebrity Publicist Rescues Unconscious Surfer From Rough California Waves
Benita Karo jumped into powerful surf in Oceanside to save a surfer who was slammed into rocks by a large wave.
A celebrity publicist is being hailed a hero after she leaped into turbulent ocean waters to rescue an unconscious surfer who had been slammed against rocks by a powerful wave.
Benita Karo, 39, was walking along the beach in Oceanside, California, on September 26, observing the unusually large waves. As she filmed the surf, she noticed a surfer attempting to navigate the water. Without warning, a massive wave struck the surfer, propelling him into the rocks.
Karo, who works as a publicist for authors of Elvis Presley books, immediately ran toward the water to assist. Upon closer inspection, she saw the surfer submerged and unresponsive, his face down in the water.
"When I got closer, I saw him upside down, face down in the water, not awake at all. Like he was knocked out," Karo told the California Post.
Still fully clothed, Karo entered the rough surf and managed to keep the surfer's head above water as waves continued to crash over them. Another surfer and individuals from a nearby beach house eventually assisted in bringing the injured man to shore. Emergency services arrived shortly after and transported him for medical attention. Karo reported that the man appeared to be breathing and expelling water.
Karo sustained minor injuries herself, including scratches to her toe, face, and back, from the rescue effort. The experience evoked memories of her time working as a lifeguard at age 15.
The dramatic rescue occurred as a powerful Category 3 hurricane, Hurricane Polo, was nearing landfall on the Baja California coast, bringing warnings of severe weather conditions to the region.