San Diego - Los Angeles Times
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A 7-year-old boy who was swept out to sea with his father and sister by a large wave at Ocean Beach died at Children’s Hospital Sunday night, officials said.

Joshua Michael Reetz, who was celebrating his birthday Sunday, was walking along a rocky, unattended area of Sunset Cliffs about 11 a.m. with his father, Michael Lee Reetz, 34, and sister Amy Lynn, 9, when a wave knocked them into the surf.

Michael Reetz was pronounced dead at 12:18 p.m. by officials at Sharp Memorial Hospital, but Amy Reetz was able to swim to shore.

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John Everhart, 23, a city lifeguard, broke his right leg while trying to rescue the victims.

The boy died about 9:30 p.m, hospital officials said.

The Reetz family had traveled here from their home in Mesa, Ariz., to visit a friend.

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