A La Mesa man who went swimming near the Ocean Beach Pier died Saturday night at a local hospital, despite efforts by lifeguards to save him, authorities said.
The San Diego County Medical Examiner’s Office identified him Sunday as Cesar Ughetto, 46, who had gone out to dinner with family and friends in Ocean Beach before he went in the ocean.
Ughetto disappeared from view shortly after entering the water, 9-1-1 was called and lifeguards began their search, according to the ME’s Office. Lifeguards found Ughetto under water, got him to shore and began life-saving efforts including CPR.
Lifeguard Lt. Andy Lerum told NBC7 that five lifeguards responded to the emergency with two rescue boats. When paramedics arrived, Ughetto was put on advanced cardiac life support and taken to an emergency room. Lerum told NBC7 when the situation happened it was dark with high surf and strong rip currents.
He was pronounced dead at 9:44 p.m., authorities said.
City News Service contributed to this article.