Man drowns off California coast trying to save two people swept to sea

A father-of-six drowned trying to rescue two strangers who were swept out to sea in San Pedro, California on Saturday.

Good Samaritan Francisco Camacho, 35, jumped into the water after seeing a 49-year-old man and a 14-year-old boy being swept off a beach breakwall by a large wave.

The fisherman's sister-in-law, Brenda Castro, told NBC Los Angeles: "He did a good deed and lost his life doing it. He was giving, always wanted to help."

Castro said that Camacho came to the breakwall to fish every morning and knew the dangers and how to swim.

According to NBC4, the rock jetty separates the Port of Los Angeles from the Pacific and can sometimes be washed over by large swells from distant storms or wakes from passing ships.

The Los Angeles Fire Department said the 49-year-old and 14-year-old are in good health.

The 49-year-old was able to pull himself out of the water.

Witness Hugo Castellonos, who tried to give Camacho CPR, told CBS Local: "He was the real hero. Because he saved the little boy."

Camacho's family said they are in need of donations to pay for a funeral service.



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