VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. - Authorities say a California surfer has been killed by a shark off a beach at coastal Vandenberg Air Force Base.

The Santa Barbara County Sheriff's Department says in a statement that the attack Tuesday morning was witnessed by a friend of the victim who swam to his aid and pulled him out of the ocean.

The friend started first aid while another surfer called for help, but the victim was pronounced dead by paramedics at the scene.

The Air Force says only that the victim was 38 years old and was not related to the base.

Sheriff's officials say the type of shark involved and other details are under investigation at this point.