Heroic Rescue on Malibu’s Foggy Coast: Deputies Save Paragliders from Drowning
In an incredible display of bravery, two Los Angeles County Sheriff’s deputies plunged into the fog-shrouded Pacific Ocean near Malibu to rescue a pair of paragliders who had crashed into the water and were struggling to stay afloat. Deputies Christopher Matkin and Sevak Grigoryan responded to a distress call with little regard for their own safety, swimming approximately 75 feet through the churning water to reach the panicking victims. Bodycam footage captured the intensity of the moment as the deputies shouted encouragement to the struggling paragliders, repeatedly yelling “Hang on!” while racing against time to prevent a tragedy from unfolding on the California coast.
The dramatic rescue required quick thinking and decisive action from the deputies, who immediately recognized the severity of the situation upon arrival. Without hesitation, they stripped off their department-issued equipment and dove into the ocean, fully aware of the dangers they faced. What made the rescue particularly challenging was the condition of the victims, whose feet had become hopelessly entangled in their heavy safety equipment. This gear, designed to protect them in flight, had become a deadly hazard in the water as it dragged them beneath the surface. Using their knives, the deputies skillfully cut away the restricting equipment while simultaneously working to calm the frantic paragliders, who in their panic were inadvertently pulling their rescuers underwater as well.
Deputy Matkin later described the rescue as “tense” during a press conference, explaining the psychological aspects of the rescue that made it even more difficult. “They kept pulling us under in their panic,” he recounted, highlighting the additional danger that rescuers often face when saving those who are drowning. “We were able to calm them down,” he added, demonstrating the emotional intelligence and psychological first aid that’s often as important as physical intervention in such scenarios. Meanwhile, Deputy Grigoryan emphasized the split-second decision-making required in emergency situations: “It was just, ‘We gotta act and we gotta act now,'” he said, encapsulating the mindset that drives first responders to put themselves in harm’s way for strangers.
The incident appears to have resulted from an unfortunate encounter with weather conditions that are not uncommon along the Southern California coastline. According to the sheriff’s department, the paragliders likely descended into a dense ocean fog bank, which disoriented them and caused them to crash into the water. The fog, which can appear suddenly along the Pacific coast, creates visibility issues that can be particularly dangerous for aerial activities like paragliding. A third deputy explained, “That’s where it appears they became disoriented and crashed into the ocean,” highlighting the unpredictable hazards that outdoor enthusiasts face even on seemingly clear days when oceanic weather patterns can change rapidly and with little warning.
The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department praised their deputies’ actions in a statement, highlighting how this rescue exemplifies the core values of their service. “This rescue demonstrates the courage, quick thinking, and selfless dedication of LASD deputies, who routinely place themselves in harm’s way to protect and save lives,” the department stated. “Deputies Matkin and Grigoryan’s decisive actions under dangerous conditions exemplify the Sheriff’s Department’s commitment to public safety and service to the community.” Their swift response likely prevented what could have been a tragic outcome, as drowning can occur rapidly, especially when victims are weighed down by equipment and disoriented by panic.
Fortunately, both paragliders are expected to fully recover from their harrowing experience, thanks to the heroic intervention of Deputies Matkin and Grigoryan. This rescue stands as a powerful reminder of the risks that first responders willingly accept as part of their commitment to public service. While many of us might hesitate at the thought of diving into foggy, potentially dangerous waters, these deputies demonstrated the split-second courage that defines their profession. Their actions also highlight the importance of proper training and equipment for outdoor activities like paragliding, as well as an awareness of changing weather conditions that can quickly transform a recreational outing into a life-threatening emergency. As this incident shows, even the most experienced outdoor enthusiasts can find themselves in dangerous situations, making the dedication of first responders all the more crucial to public safety.
