KTLA5
POSTED OCTOBER 27, 2019, BY SAREEN HABESHIAN AND KAREEN WYNTER
A record number of swimmers were stung by stingrays on Saturday in Huntington Beach, authorities said.
Officials said 176 people were injured by the creatures after swimming too far into the ocean during a low tide. The warm temperatures brought a high number of people to the water, contributing to the surged number of stings.
Due to a shift in weather conditions, there were only a few stingrays injuries reported on Sunday.
The Huntington Beach Fire Department issued warnings throughout the weekend to protect the public, said Lt. Eric Dieterman of the Marine Safety Division.
“We get out a pretty aggressive public safety campaign… advising folks to stay out of water if possible,” he said.
Lifeguards have been on standby to treat injured swimmers by soaking deep puncture wounds on the foot to relieve the pain.