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Crime & Safety

50-year-old Surfer Injured at Steamer Lane Monday

The Santa Cruz Fire Department gave the surfer medical aid at shore after he was helped to shore by other surfers.

The Santa Cruz Fire Department responded to a call for a water rescue at Steamer Lane on West Cliff Drive around 12:16 p.m. on Monday afternoon.

According to Emergency Radio Traffic, a 50-year-old man was hit up against the rocks and was in an "altered level of consciousness, bleeding from the leg."

At the time of the 9-1-1 call, the victim was about 50 yards out in the water.

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According to Jason Hajduk, Battalion Chief of Santa Cruz Fire, the victim had been surfing when he sustained "moderate injuries" and was transported by ambulance to a local hospital.

"He had been extricated to the bottom of the stairs across from the restrooms and from there we were able to help him up the stairs," said Hajduk, who says surfers had helped the man to shore while rescuers were on their way to the scene.

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"Usually the surfers out there are pretty good about helping somebody out who is hurt in the water," said Hajduk.

It was high tide at the time of the rescue, combined with a south swell and good weather, which means there were lots of people in the water at Steamer's Lane.

"There's a south swell right now so the waves were breaking pretty close to the rocks," said Hajduk.

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