Fallen Lifeguard Honored

A flag ceremony will be held for a 42-year-old Los Angeles County lifeguard who died during a training exercise at a Manhattan Beach school Thursday, and a memorial service is set for Saturday.

Brian Kutil died shortly after 7 a.m. last Thursday while taking part in a 500-meter re-certification swim at Mira Costa High School, according to the Los Angeles County Fire Department.

It’s unclear exactly what transpired during the exercise, but Kutil, a 20-year veteran of the Lifeguard Division, was treated at the scene by county lifeguards and Manhattan Beach Fire Department paramedics. He was taken to Little Company of Mary Hospital, where he was pronounced dead.

“All of us are shocked by this terrible early morning news,” Los Angeles County Fire Department Chief Daryl L. Osby said. “Our hearts go out to his family, friends and his Fire Department family. Please keep everyone in your thoughts as we mourn his tragic loss.”

The flag ceremony will be held at Los Angeles County’s Beaches & Harbor Administrative Headquarters, at 13837 Fiji Way in Marina del Rey, at 10 a.m. on Thursday.

Parking fees are being waived in Fisherman’s Village.

A memorial service will be held Saturday at 10 a.m. at El Segundo Beach. Parking will be facilitated at the Dockweiler Youth Center at 12505 Vista Del Mar. A shuttle service will be provided.

• City News Service
• Photo Credit: Los Angeles County Fire Department