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Turlock man, son drown at Ocean Beach
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SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — A father and son have died after being pulled from storm-driven waves off a San Francisco beach, authorities said Friday.

The two men from the Central Valley were overcome by pounding waves from the Pacific Ocean while swimming Wednesday afternoon off Ocean Beach, the San Francisco Chronicle reported Friday.

The two men were identified as Jose Garcia Jr., 24, of Merced, and his father, Jose Garcia Sr. of Turlock, 47. Witnesses told authorities that one man wore underwear and the other wore basketball shorts.

San Francisco Fire Department rescuers said that when they arrived one man had already been pulled ashore unconscious and the other was still in the water and unresponsive. Both were later pronounced dead.

Ocean Beach is known for its sneaker waves and powerful rip currents, according to the newspaper, and storm surges this week have battered the stretch of beach along the Pacific Ocean with 15-foot waves.

The Coast Guard reported that it has conducted several rescues in recent days, urging surfers, boaters and beachgoers to be extremely careful.