Man caught in Venice rip current dies; lifeguards warn beachgoers

VENICE, LOS ANGELES (KABC) -- The 28-year-old man pulled from the waters off Venice Beach after getting trapped in a rip current has died.

Three men were out in the surf when they got stuck in a rip current Thursday near Tower 19, about 200 yards off shore.

Lifeguards were able to get two men safely to shore. Rescue divers reached the third man about 30 minutes after he was seen going under. They found him unconscious.

The man was rushed to Marina Del Rey Hospital. He was initially listed in grave condition but was pronounced dead early Friday morning.

Lifeguards say they don't want to see such tragedies over the holiday weekend when big crowds are expected to hit the coast. They want to emphasize the importance of swimming near a lifeguard station.

"Please swim in front of an open lifeguard tower, stay away from rocks and jetties, come talk to the lifeguard. If you have a question, we can point you in the right direction where's a safe spot to swim," said L.A. County lifeguard Lidia Barilla.

The National Weather Service says rip currents can move up to eight feet per second. If you get caught in one, don't fight it, swim parallel to the shore and head back to land at an angle.