Oxnard Man Drowns Surfing Near Jetty

A 31-year-old Oxnard man drowned Sunday morning while surfing near the north jetty at Silver Strand, Ventura County Sheriff’s Sgt. Rod Thompson said.

Carl Moss was identified as the drowning victim by Mitch Breese, senior deputy coroner.

The drowning occurred about 11:30 a.m. near the 2500 block of Ocean Road.

According to paramedic Steve Carroll, the man was found floating unconscious past the surf line by another surfer. Bystanders and military firefighters administered cardiopulmonary resuscitation until paramedics arrived.

He was taken to St. John’s Regional Medical Center in Oxnard, where he was pronounced dead about 12:30 p.m.

Thompson said the drowning appears to be accidental.

According to Jack Wagner, an avid surfer and Silver Strand resident, word of the drowning came as no surprise.

“Lately, it’s just been treacherous,” Wagner said. “The surf has been huge, the water has been frigid and what’s really dangerous are the riptides because they’ve been so strong over the past few weeks.

“Everyone should just be careful out there and, if they’re not in shape or don’t have the right equipment, they shouldn’t even go out.”