Ben Carlson, a Newport Beach lifeguard who died while trying to make a rescue in big surf, died from accidental drowning, according to a spokesperson at the Orange County Coroner Division.

The official cause of death took months to complete for the 32-year-old guard and puts to rest questions of whether he suffered a fatal head injury by hitting the ocean floor or died from natural causes like a heart attack during the rescue. He was the first to die in the line of duty in nearly 100 years of Newport Beach’s lifeguarding services.

Carlson died on July 6 during a red flag warning of rough conditions. Carlson jumped from the lifeguard boat to save a swimmer in distress near tower 15. The swimmer survived, but Carlson disappeared into the raging surf. His body was recovered later that night near the 28th Street jetty.

Carlson and his family continue to be honored for his heroics. Thousands showed up for a paddle-out memorial in July, and a scholarship fund has been set up in his name. A statue is planned for Carlson in Newport Beach near Balboa Pier, just about a mile from where he died.

On Thursday, the California Surf Lifesaving Association will give his family a posthumous Medal of Valor award on Carlson’s behalf at a meeting in San Clemente.

Contact the writer: lconnelly@ocregister.com