Boy rescued from collapsed sand tunnel at Carpinteria State Beach

CARPINTERIA STATE BEACH, Calif. (KABC) -- A teen is being called a hero after she and friends from Chino Hills rescued a boy from a collapsed sand tunnel.

The 12-year-old boy was digging a tunnel at Carpinteria State Beach Tuesday, when the sand collapsed suddenly, almost suffocating him, according to witnesses

A group of teens spotted the young boy's feet sticking up and rushed over to help.

"We instantly started digging. Because the sand was completely level, we realized the little boy was underneath. We instantly went for his head area," Taylor Doram said.

Lifeguards and other rescuers quickly made their way to the boy, and he was taken by ambulance to Santa Barbara Cottage Hospital. He was breathing and later regained consciousness.