July 4th Holiday Promises To Be Among Busiest Days Of The Year For Lifeguards
NEWPORT BEACH (CBSLA.com) — The July 4th holiday promises several things -- fireworks, crowded beaches and did we mention crowded beaches?
KCAL9's Jennifer Kastner staked out Newport Beach Sunday to find out how lifeguards were preparing to help people and large crowds. There was an estimated 125,000 people at the beach Sunday, more expected tomorrow.
She was there when a hysterical mother started screaming for her little girl. Bella, who has autism, went missing.
"She's 7-years-old old, she has brown hair, brown eyes, pink topped turquoise trunks," a lifeguard said putting out a description of the missing girl.
After ten excruciating minutes, lifeguards found Bella and reunited her with her mother.
Bella is one of 22 kids who disappeared Sunday on Newport Beach alone.
The busy July 4th weekend has lifeguards remaining on high alert.
"Today, alone, we had over 130 water rescues," said Lifeguard Capt. Mark Herman.
And there were 3,000 other types of calls.
Kastner rode along while lifeguards tended to a broken ankle.
Just yesterday, a Good Samaritan from Arizona rescued a 3-year-old boy who was buried alive while building sand tunnels. He was trapped about three feet down and for at least four minutes.
"It was scary to thing to see a little boy that wasn't breathing and blue and pretty much dead and you know it was pretty frightening," said Jesse Martin, the Good Samaritan.
That 3-year-old made a full recovery.
On Sunday, lifeguard Adrien Montanez had to stop another child from building sand tunnels.
"And then I talked to [the kid's parents] and talked to them about what happened yesterday," Montanez said "and it turned out they read the article [about it.]
Lifeguards said if you are coming to the beach, check in at a tower and find out what swimming conditions are like and please, to swim sober at all times.