Man rescued from St. Augustine Beach surf

ST. AUGUSTINE BEACH, Fla. – Two police officers rescued a man who was caught in rough surf off St. Augustine Beach Friday morning.

The St. Augustine Beach Police Department responded to the area of Surf Drive south of Ocean Trace Road shortly after 10:30 a.m. in reference to a swimmer in distress.

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Officer Russell Kelly and Officer Natalie Gillespie with the SABPD were the first on scene and removed their uniforms, grabbed flotation gear and went into the ocean.

Both officers rescued the man, who was in his 60s, from the rough surf about 100 yards off shore.

St. Johns County Marine Rescue treated the man for exhaustion and did not need further medical treatment.

All St. Augustine Beach Police Department members undergo basic water rescue training and familiarization of flotation and water rescue equipment.

The SABPD said Officers Kelly and Gillespie both acted with courage and bravery by entering the ocean, knowing strong rip currents were present.