Terrifying moment mom is struck by rogue wave and dragged into ocean while taking stroll on beach
A 49-year-old mother from California was dragged into the ocean and nearly drowned after being struck by a series of powerful waves during a walk with friends at Aliso Beach in Laguna Beach. Teresa Tran suffered a heart attack while struggling in the water and was pulled from the surf unconscious with only a faint pulse, in an incident that has left her family shaken and grateful for the emergency responders who saved her life.
The women were knocked down by three successive waves on Saturday 15 August, with Tran repeatedly submerged as she fought to stay afloat before losing consciousness from exhaustion and swallowed water. Lifeguards rescued the group, and Tran was revived on the beach after vomiting water, then airlifted by helicopter to Mission Hospital for treatment. She has since been discharged and is recovering at home, though her daughter says she remains too frightened to go near water for the foreseeable future. A GoFundMe page has been set up to help cover costs not fully met by insurance, including the helicopter evacuation.
- California mum nearly drowned after rogue waves hit her at Aliso Beach
- She suffered a heart attack in the water, rescued unconscious by lifeguards
- Airlifted to hospital, has since recovered at home but remains shaken
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Teresa Tran, a 49-year-old mother from California, was knocked down by a series of powerful waves while walking with friends at Aliso Beach in Laguna Beach on Saturday 15 August. She was repeatedly pulled underwater, suffered a heart attack, and lost consciousness before lifeguards managed to pull her from the sea with only a faint pulse.
The term "rogue wave" refers to unusually large or unpredictable waves that can strike beachgoers without warning, even in conditions that otherwise look calm. Such incidents are a recurring hazard at coastal spots and can turn a routine walk along the shore into a life-threatening situation within moments.
Tran was revived on the beach and flown by helicopter to Mission Hospital for treatment. She has since been discharged and is recovering at home, and her family has set up a fundraising page to help cover costs, including the air ambulance, that are not fully covered by insurance.