One driver found out the hard way that SUVs don’t make the best boats. The man had to be rescued from his Jeep Wrangler after getting submerged in the ocean at Corona del Mar State Beach before the access gate was open. 

Driver rescued from SUV submerged in the ocean at California beach 

Too many innocent SUVs are claimed by the ocean as drivers take unnecessary risks, drive too far into the water, and don’t pay attention to incoming tides. 

One Orange County driver is lucky to be alive after Newport Beach Fire responded to reports of an SUV spotted in the water near the shoreline of Corona del Mar State Beach around 5:30 am. 

Crews entered the water and pulled the driver from a Jeep Wrangler that was fully submerged. The driver was then transported to a local hospital for evaluation and treatment. 

But emergency crews weren’t done yet. They had to fight challenging conditions caused by waves rolling the vehicle in the surf. 

A large tractor and other vehicles from Public Workers were used to extract the Wrangler and tow it away. According to the LA Times, the teamwork and determination of all responders were critical in overcoming the hazards of the early morning surf. 

The Newport Beach Police Department is leading an investigation into the events leading up to the incident. It’s unclear how the Jeep Wrangler became submerged. 

The entrance gate to the Carolina Del Mar State Beach doesn’t open until 6 am. But some local residents have access routes to bypass the gate. Also, there is no visible damage to the gate or other structures. 

No debris from the Jeep Wrangler was visible on the sand. It’s possible that tire tracks and other evidence washed away before the rescue and recovery efforts occurred.