On Sunday, July 6th, the Newport Beach community lost one its own. Ben Carlson, a thirty-two-year-old a veteran lifeguard, made the ultimate sacrifice when he lost his life in an attempt to save an imperiled swimmer. The three-day weekend was a hectic one for lifeguards, with nearly 200 rescue attempts on Sunday alone.
According to the Newport Beach Fire Department, at around 5 p.m., Carlson entered the water in response to a man in distress. The two were hit by a 10-12 foot wave, and while the initial victim made it to shore, Carlson was no where to be found. After a frantic three-hour search, his body was located and rushed to the hospital. It was there that he was pronounced dead.
An outpouring of love from the community was displayed at a paddle-out in Ben Carlson’s honor, where friends, family members, and anyone who wanted to pay their respects to the fallen hero got in the water and reflected on the loss and Ben’s life.
Carlson was a lifeguard for 15 years. The tragedy came just four days after his thirty-second birthday. The paddle out was the first part of the celebration of his life. Hours later, thousands came to a memorial service on the beach, where Newport fire chief Scott Poster awarded Carlson a posthumous medal of valor.
“There is no greater act of heroism and bravery than giving your life to save another,” he said. “Ben is a true hero. I am proud to provide his family with his medal of valor.”
