A mother of three is recovering in hospital after a terrifying near-drowning incident while walking at Aliso Beach, California. Teresa Tran, 49, was enjoying a day out with a friend when they were unexpectedly swamped by rough waves on Saturday, August 15.
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According to Amanda Tran, Teresa’s daughter, the two women had been walking along the beach when powerful surf knocked them to their knees. Amanda recounted how the situation escalated: “They were trying to get up, and by the time they got up, a third wave came out of nowhere and knocked them down again.” While her friend managed to get back to safety, Teresa struggled against the tide and was quickly caught in a rip current.
Lifeguards arrived on the scene to assist Teresa, but by that point, she had suffered a cardiac event, likely a result of the stress induced by nearly drowning. “She was still unconscious when they pulled her out, so they were trying to find her pulse,” Amanda revealed in an interview with CBS Los Angeles. The rescuers found her pulse very faint, and it was only after she was flipped over that she began to vomit out the water she had swallowed, ultimately regaining consciousness.
In her moments before being rescued, Teresa shared with her daughter that she felt utterly defeated, saying, “I just couldn’t fight anymore.” Her daughter noted that throughout the ordeal, her mother had been focusing on survival, thinking, “I need to keep trying.” Tragically, the waves became overwhelming, leading to her moment of surrender.
Following the rescue, Teresa was airlifted to Mission Hospital for treatment. In a GoFundMe campaign established to help cover her medical costs, Amanda disclosed that her mother had indeed experienced a heart attack while battling in the water. “By the grace of God and the incredible lifeguards, first responders, and medical teams who fought to save her, she survived,” she expressed on the fundraising page.
Doctors at Mission Hospital are currently monitoring Teresa’s condition closely, awaiting her troponin levels to decrease before she can be transferred to Scripps Hospital for further evaluation and care. Despite the ordeal being harrowing, Amanda expressed gratitude that her mother is alive and receiving the necessary medical attention.
“This has been a frightening and unexpected experience for our family,” Amanda added. “We are so grateful that my mum is alive and receiving care.” She also mentioned that her mother would be steering clear of any bodies of water in the foreseeable future, underscoring the lasting impact of the incident.
As Teresa Tran continues her recovery journey, her family remains hopeful that she will overcome this traumatic experience and return to her usual life. The community response has also been overwhelming, with many showing support through the GoFundMe campaign and sharing words of encouragement as Tran and her family navigate the aftermath of this frightening event.