25-year-old Oakland firefighter found apparently drowned in Pacific Beach

A 25-year-old Oakland firefighter died early Thursday when he apparently drowned after entering the ocean during a beach event at Pacific Beach.

Lifeguards began the search with the assistance of a Coast Guard helicopter after receiving a report around 2 a.m. that the man had disappeared into the water.

The man’s body was found about 4 a.m. on the shoreline north of Crystal Pier, said Lt. Rick Romero, a lifeguard with San Diego Fire-Rescue.

A group of family and friends were on the beach when the man walked into waist-deep water about 200 yards south of the pier, was caught under a wave, took a swimming stroke and then disappeared, Romero said.

Someone in the group called 911 after “they lost sight of him,” he said. “Nobody saw him struggling or calling for help. Suddenly he was there and gone.”

Lifeguards were notified by police of the missing man and began a search of the beach and the water, Romero said.

Romero said the man was in town to take part in a sports competition for firefighters. Lifeguards were told the man had been drinking before entering the ocean, but it was unclear if that played a role. He said the medical examiner’s office will determine the cause of death.

The man’s name was not immediately released.