Man dies while saving drowning son in California beach
By Carl Samson
June 5, 2023
An Indian American man died while rescuing his drowning son at Panther State Beach in Santa Cruz County, California, on May 29.
What happened: Srinivasa Murthy Jonnalagadda did not know how to swim but rushed into the waters anyway to help his son after the 13-year-old boy was struck by a huge wave. With the help of a Good Samaritan, he managed to save his son, but was dragged by the riptide into deeper waters, where he drowned.
The aftermath: Rescuers from multiple agencies were reportedly sent to the beach after 6 p.m. Jonnalagadda was given CPR on the shore before being airlifted to Stanford Hospital in Palo Alto, where he later died.
About the victim: Jonnalagadda is survived by his 13-year-old son, his wife and a 9-year-old son. A GoFundMe page organized for his family describes him as a “man of action” who always “put his family first.”
He was a man of action, always putting his family first, and a fun-loving soul with a highly positive outlook. His willingness to help others knew no boundaries and he never refused anyone needing assistance of any kind. Srinivasa and his wife were actively involved in community service and positively impacted many lives with their support and kindness.
About the fundraiser: The GoFundMe page was reportedly set up to help the family with funeral costs, as well as medical bills and other unforeseen financial obligations. As of press time, the campaign has raised $166,113.
Funeral details: According to an update to Jonnalagadda’s fundraiser, the service will be held at Chapel of Angels in Fremont Boulevard, Fremont, from 12:30 p.m. on June 7.
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