PRESS RELEASE



A surfer dies in the waters off of Santa Barbara County.



The Santa Barbara County Fire Department says they were called to St. Augustine Beach at about 11:15a.m. Friday. That beach is about seven miles from the east gate of Hollister Ranch. Officials say a group of men was surfing in that area Friday morning, when they noticed one of their friends was unconscious on his surfboard. The man's friends brought the body to shore and tried to revive him while calling for emergency crews. A vegetation management officer was the first officer on scene, and administered CPR.



A CAL-Star emergency medical helicopter landed at the beach and declared the man dead. His name has not been released, but fire officials say they believe he is about 50 years old.