Aarti Senthilvel, 47, originally from Pleasanton, was visiting a beach south of San Francisco with her family and two other people when 11 children and adults were dragged into the water by the surf
SAN FRANCISCO (AP) – A woman was dragged into the sea and drowned on a California beach after rescuing three children during a trip, officials said Monday.
Aarti Senthilvel, 47, originally from Pleasanton, was visiting a beach south of San Francisco with her family and two other people when 11 children and adults were dragged into the water by the surf.
Senthilvel helped save three children and teenagers, said Detective Rosemerry Blanskwade of San Mateo County.
“While they were helping the children, they did not realize that she was being dragged by the current,” said the detective.
Emergency personnel arrived and took Senthilvel out of the water, but they could not save her.
A relative said that Senthilvel was known to help others.
The waves were small on Sunday at Cowell Ranch State Beach near Half Moon Bay, about 50 kilometers (30 miles) south of San Francisco, said California State Parks Public Safety Superintendent Bill Wolcott. However, currents always represent a risk, he added.
“Cowell Beach is known for these types of currents and we want to remind everyone now that vacations are coming closer and they stay safe,” Blankswade said.
The death of Senthilvel happened after three similar incidents last month where people drowned or almost died while rescuing children in the state.
Father and daughter died in the San Joaquin river, reported the newspaper Visalia Delta Times. Another person drowned and one almost died while trying to rescue children from the Kaweah River, approximately 270 kilometers (170 miles) north of Los Angeles.
Days later, they rescued a 7-month-old baby. His rescuer survived but was seriously injured. In early June, a 36-year-old man from Los Angeles drowned in the same rapids.
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