Two Los Angeles sheriff’s deputies were caught on camera rescuing two paragliders from drowning on Friday after they fell in the fog-covered ocean near Malibu.
Bodycan footage from one of the deputies showed them racing into action after responding to a call of two victims in distress, with authorities yelling to the paragliders to « Hang on! »
« Without hesitation and fully aware of the danger, LA County Sheriff’s Department Deputies Matkin and Grigoryan removed their department-issued gear and jumped in the water, » the sheriff’s department said in a statement shared with Fox News Digital.
The deputies swam out roughly 75 feet to a man and woman whose feet had become entangled in their heavy safety equipment that was pulling them down, which the deputies were able to cut off with their knives.
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Deputy Christopher Matkin called the rescue « tense, » explaining that the frantic paragliders kept pulling them under in their panic.
« We were able to calm them down, » he added at a press conference.
Deputy Sevak Grigoryan said that they didn’t have much time to think.
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« It was just, ‘We gotta act and we gotta to act now, » he said.
The department said the paragliders’ ill-fated trip likely happened as they descended and ran into the ocean’s fog bank.
« And that’s where it appears they became disoriented and crashed into the ocean, » a third deputy said.
Both paragliders are expected to fully recover.
« This rescue demonstrates the courage, quick thinking, and selfless dedication of LASD deputies, who routinely place themselves in harm’s way to protect and save lives, » the department said.
« Deputies Matkin and Grigoryan’s decisive actions under dangerous conditions exemplify the Sheriff’s Department’s commitment to public safety and service to the community. »
Source link : https://www.foxnews.com/us/la-deputies-caught-camera-racing-foggy-ocean-rescue-disoriented-paragliders
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Publish date : 2025-12-20 22:45:00
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