Firefighters, lifeguards, Coast Guard and others all played a hand in saving surfers

In an exciting water rescue involving multiple agencies, stranded surfers were rescued by lifeguards, firefighters, and a Coast Guard helicopter at Gray Whale Cove Sunday evening.

The Pacifica and Half Moon Bay Fire Departments got the call at 5:28pm. En-route, the HMB Fire Department called in the Coast Guard, San Mateo County Harbor Patrol, California State Parks lifeguards, and water rescue swimmers from the Half Moon Bay Fire District.

Firefighters found two surfers in distress at the south end of the cove, one in the water being swept around the south point, and one on the rocks.

A team of two state parks lifeguards (Eric Abma and James Nothhelfer)  swam to the victims, guided by fire personnel on the cliff. They were got the victim in the water onto the beach.

The surfer on the rocks was saved and pulled onto the rocks by Anthony Fontaine of San Francisco who found himself trapped on the rocks by the surf. A firefighter/paramedic from the Pacifica Fire Dept. made his way across the rocks to them and stabilized the victim.

A Coast Guard helicopter from San Francisco airlifted victims and rescuers on the rocks to the beach for further care by firefighters.

Two victims were transported by ambulance to Peninsula Hospital with minor injuries.

NOTE: This account was based on a press release from HMBFD.