A jet skier who vanished overnight off the coast of Long Beach was found alive Monday morning in what officials described as a remarkable outcome after hours of searching.
The man, believed to be in his 50s, was discovered about 2.5 miles offshore from the Seal Beach Pier following a major rescue effort involving the U.S. Coast Guard and the Long Beach Fire Department, KTLA reported.
The search began late Sunday after authorities were alerted around 10 p.m. that two jet skiers had gone missing near Alamitos Bay Landing.
Officials said the two had been out riding with a larger group before becoming separated and ending up in the water.
Concern intensified about 30 minutes later, when fishermen reported hearing a woman calling out for help in the darkness.
Lifeguards quickly responded to the Long Beach Breakwater and found the woman holding onto rocks in the area between Queen’s Gate and the LA Light.
The woman, who is in her 40s, was rescued and transported to a nearby hospital, where she was listed in stable condition.
Her male companion, however, remained missing as crews continued the overnight search.
READ MORE: Remote Finance Boss Sues After France Move Gets Her Fired
Authorities located an abandoned jet ski floating in the water beyond the breakwater at approximately 1:15 a.m. Monday. A second jet ski was found about 30 minutes later.
Still, there was no sign of the missing man.
Crews continued searching through the darkness and into the morning as concern mounted for the stranded rider.
Then, around 10:30 a.m., the search finally produced a stunning breakthrough.
A Coast Guard helicopter spotted the man floating approximately 2.5 miles offshore from the Seal Beach Pier, according to the Long Beach Fire Department.
A rescue swimmer was lowered from the helicopter and managed to pull the man from the water.
Paul Anthony Carbullido, 53, was found shortly after 11 a.m. and was alive and talking before being taken to a hospital, a US Coast Guard spokesman told City News Service.
He was suffering from hypothermia and was later reported to be in stable condition.
Authorities have not provided additional details about what caused the pair to become separated from their group.
