Hollywood Local 399 Teamster John Colarossi was only looking to take a long walk on the beach at the beach with his wife, four-year old daughter and his uncle August 17 but suddenly was spurred into action to save the life of a drowning man.
Noticing a man floating face up but being whipped around by surf, in what turned out to be chest-high water, Colarossi called out and getting no response, dove into action.
He stroked out to the semi-conscious man and quickly retrieved him to shore, and following instructions from a 911 operator, began pushing on his chest to expel seawater.
The near tragedy was off of Arroyo Burro Beach near Santa Barbara. Units from Santa Barbara city and county fire departments, the harbor patrol and county sheriff’s office responded, ultimately transporting the unidentified, middle-aged victim to Santa Barbara Cottage Hospital.
Colarossi, 43, is a Teamster driver at Sony, and has belonged to Local 399 since 1997.
399 Secretary-Treasurer Leo Reed said the Local is proud of Colarossi’s quick response in saving a life.
