Potentially 'distracted' lifeguard runs over beachgoer in Half Moon Bay

A 20-year-old beachgoer was taken to the hospital after being struck and run over by a lifeguard driving a vehicle on a popular beach in Half Moon Bay on Wednesday, according to a statement by the San Mateo County Sheriff's Office.

The deputies responded at about 3:45 p.m., according to Gretchen Spiker, the director of communications at the San Mateo County Sheriff's Office.

The beachgoer, a woman who has not been identified, was lying on the sand on Francis Beach when she was struck by the lifeguard driving a "lifeguard vehicle," according to California State Parks spokesperson Adeline Yee. In addition to sheriff's deputies, other first responders included Coastside Fire and State Park Peace Officers, Yee said.

The woman was treated at the scene and taken by ambulance to a local hospital, according to Yee. Her injuries are not believed to be life-threatening at this time, Spiker told SFGATE. The investigation into the incident is ongoing, but, "Initial reports indicated the driver may have been distracted," Spiker said.

Francis Beach is the site of Half Moon Bay State Beach's visitor center. It has a paved ramp down to the beach and also contains the Half Moon Bay State Beach Campground for RVs and tents.

California beaches have been particularly deadly in recent weeks thanks to large swells that have pulled multiple people out into the open ocean. On June 10, two college students visiting Panther Beach in Santa Cruz were killed after a large wave pulled them out into the ocean while they were napping on the beach.

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