Long Beach man survives 12 hours adrift after jet ski accident

Paul Anthony Carbullido Jr., 53, survived 12 hours adrift in dark, cold waters off the coast of Long Beach after being knocked off his jet ski by a wave during a Sunday evening sunset ride.

Carbullido’s roommate, Donna Durbay, was pushed toward a break wall during the incident. While Durbay was able to reach the break wall and contact a rental company, Carbullido, who cannot swim, was swept into open water. Despite wearing a life jacket, he spent the night paddling in the dark, fearing the worst.

Following a search that included locating abandoned jet skis, a Coast Guard helicopter spotted Carbullido approximately 2.5 miles off Seal Beach Pier around 10:30 a.m. Monday. A rescue swimmer pulled the freezing and bruised man from the water. Carbullido remains hospitalized following the ordeal.