Newport lifeguard died of accidental drowning, coroner says

The Orange County coroner’s office has ruled that Newport Beach lifeguard Ben Carlson died because of accidental drowning.

Until the release of the autopsy report this week, county officials had not specified the cause of death for the 32-year-old, a 15-year lifeguard veteran who was the first Newport Beach lifeguard to die in the line of duty.

He disappeared in rough surf July 6 after jumping into the water off the Balboa Peninsula to help a struggling swimmer. The swimmer made it back to shore safely, but Carlson did not. Lifeguards found his body after a three-hour search.

The autopsy report notes bruises and a scrape on Carlson’s forehead and the bridge of his nose. In addition, Carlson had a severely enlarged heart, according to the report.

Coroner’s officials also detected THC, the main active ingredient in marijuana, in Carlson’s blood, though the report did not specify the amount or source of the chemical. Coroner’s officials told the Newport Beach Fire Department that the THC wasn’t a contributing factor in Carlson’s death, according to Fire Chief Scott Poster.

“None of us believe he had any impairment,” Poster said.

Carlson started his July 6 shift at 10 a.m. and performed multiple rescues, according to Poster.

Locals have embraced Carlson as a hero. Hundreds of friends and admirers attended a paddle-out and memorial service in his honor.

The Ben Carlson Memorial and Scholarship Foundation hopes to erect a statue of him at the Balboa Pier.

Others have suggested naming Newport Beach lifeguard headquarters or the Junior Lifeguards program after Carlson.

“He’ll be remembered by his friends and co-workers as one of our best and most observant lifeguards,” Poster said.