MIAMI BEACH, FLA. (WSVN) - A surfer was rescued from rough waters after he was spotted in distress off South Beach on Sunday afternoon.
With rough conditions and wind, a good Samaritan said the water was choppy.
Cellphone video recorded near South Pointe Park Pier captured the surfer struggling in rough waters.
The man who took the video, Jawad Aflak, said he was out for his weekly run when he spotted the man in distress.
“The waves were hitting him very, very, very, bad,” said Aflak.
Aflak said he first saw a surfboard fly up in the air, only to realize that it was attached to a surfer who was in the water getting pounded by the waves and being pushed up against the rocks.
“The board was flying in the air and nobody – but the guy was under the water and he was holding it,” said Aflak.
The good Samaritan said he noticed that the surfer was unable to stand, and he and other witnesses on shore alerted emergency responders.
“Whenever he tried to stand up, when the wind hits him, he falls again between the rocks,” said Aflak.
Meanwhile, Aflak said, he tried to keep contact with the surfer to let him know that help was on the way.
“The waves just kept hitting him into the rocks, and whenever he tried to stand up and sit on the rocks again, the waves were hitting him,” said Aflak. “He waved back to us and he’s just trying to tell us ‘Hey guys, I need help,’ then I’m like, ‘You know what, we should call.'”
That call for help brought first responders to the scene.
Rescuers first approached on a personal watercraft before a Miami Beach Police boat moved in.
Aflak said the surfer was out there for about five to 10 minutes before being brought to safety, adding he is very thankful for the quick response from first responders.
“They did an amazing, amazing, amazing job. It didn’t take them even five minutes, and when they got there, they just did the right job, what they had to do,” said Aflak.
Aflak said he’s thankful he was in the right place at the right time to get that surfer the help that he needed on Sunday afternoon.
“I was so glad I was able to help,” he said.
The identity of that surfer is unknown, but he was brought to safety. As of Tuesday morning, his current condition is unknown.
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