Man who died rescuing dog at SF’s Ocean Beach identified

SAN FRANCISCO (KRON) — A man who died after rushing into the ocean fully clothed to rescue a dog at San Francisco’s Ocean Beach last week has been identified.

The Office of the Chief Medical Examiner identified the San Francisco man as 59-year-old Garbo Chang.

Chang collapsed at some time around 2 p.m. on May 8 while he was in the surf line rescuing a dog that had entered the water, according to the San Francisco Fire Department. Two women were able to pull Chang from the water and begin life-saving measures while the Golden Gate National Recreation Area Ocean Rescue crew was en route.

First responders initiated CPR and advanced life support at the scene before Chang was transported to a local hospital in critical condition, officials said. In an update from the fire department at 5:30 p.m., officials said Chang had been pronounced deceased.

The dog that Chang rescued survived.

Fire officials did not know why Chang may have collapsed in the water, and the medical examiner’s office did not disclose the cause of death as of Wednesday morning.