The accident happened near the Pacific Coast Highway.
3 min read
Three people were killed Thursday when they were washed up into the Pacific Ocean in Ventura County, California.
The apparent accident occurred just after 4:30 p.m. local time near the Pacific Coast Highway, when the three individuals were dragged by a wave into the water while on some rocks along the coast, according to the Department. County Fire Department. The incident took place just northwest of Malibu.
After initially saying that the three people were pulled out of the ocean in critical condition, the fire department said about 20 minutes later that the three were pronounced dead.
“When we got to the scene we were able to confirm that there were three unknown people in a family and when we got to the scene we were able to do a quick search for water and we were able to rescue all three from the water.” However, they were fatally injured, “said Ventura County Fire Department Captain Brian McGrath.
Authorities also said there is no shortage of other people and that the search operations were completed.
It is unclear what caused people to be washed into the ocean or the ages or identities of individuals. The Ventura County Sheriff’s Department will conduct an investigation.
The Oxnard Fire Department and the US Coast Guard were among the agencies that responded to the scene to assist the Ventura County Fire Department.
Marilyn Heck of ABC News contributed to this report.
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