Five rescued after vessel overturns off La Jolla coast

SAN DIEGO (FOX 5/KUSI) -- A capsized vessel prompted the rescue of five people Friday off the coast of La Jolla, authorities said.

The incident occurred around 4:15 p.m. in the area of 6000 Camino De La Costa in Bird Rock Cove, according to the San Diego Fire-Rescue Department.

One person was taken to the hospital in critical condition, while four others were transported for basic life services, per first responders.

SDFD believes the boat suffered a mechanical failure when the 22-foot cabin cruiser hit a wave, causing it to overturn.

“It was a really dangerous situation. We have lifeguards who are specially trained for this situation,” said John Maher, marine safety lieutenant with SDFD’s lifeguard services division.

Lifeguards dove into action to rescue one of the passengers who was trapped under the boat.

“We have a dive team member that was able to rapidly dive underneath the vessel to find that most critical patient and give them the best chance at survival,” Maher said.

The San Diego Police Department and Border Patrol also responded to the scene.

The incident remains under investigation.

FOX 5/KUSI's Dominique LaVigne contributed to this report.