A man died over the weekend on California’ Sonoma Coast after a wave knocked him out to sea while standing on a rock.
In a Tuesday, March 4, Facebook post, the Sonoma County Sheriff’s Office identified the victim as Shanglong Tang, 43, of Sacramento.
“Our condolences go out to his family and friends,” the sheriff’s office wrote.
Authorities said that deputies were summoned to Gerstle Cove for a water rescue on Sunday, March 2, around 10:41 a.m. local time.
“Two males were standing on rocks at the coast when a wave swept one out to sea,” said the sheriff’s office in its Facebook post.
Sonoma County Sheriff’s Office’s helicopter, Henry 1, found Tang in the water and rescued him. He was taken to land and emergency personnel administered CPR.
“Unfortunately, the male was pronounced dead at 11:26 a.m.,” said the sheriff’s office.
In a Tuesday email to PEOPLE, the Sonoma County Sheriff’s Office said the cause of Tang’s death will come from the coroner’s office when it is done with the investigation.
A high surf warning for Sonoma, Marin, San Francisco and San Mateo counties was previously issued by the National Weather Service, reported CBS affiliate KPIX.
San Francisco Fire Department Captain Samuel Menchac warned that “even at ankle level, it can sweep you out there,” KGO reported.
He also cautioned those thinking of venturing out amid threatening surf and waves to stay out of the water until it becomes calmer.
