Del Mar man meets rescuers who saved him after nearly drowning to death

SAN DIEGO (FOX 5/KUSI) — A Del Mar man was near death after drowning in unguarded waters one night last month. Then, in the most impossible circumstances, he was revived.

“I’m still having a hard time processing it,” said Charles “Carey” Sorel, a drowning survivor. “I’m alive, I’m alive.”

Sorel was swimming in unguarded waters on the night of Aug. 13 when the lifelong waterman made a simple mistake: He dove into shallow water, striking his head on the ground and damaging his already injured neck. He was knocked out.

“Too many things fell into place so I could be here talking to you,” said Sorel.

Concert in the park was in full swing, playing Beatles cover songs, as Sorel sunk under the water. A spotlight from the nearby Poseidon restaurant was illuminating his body when a passerby noticed him in the water.

She ran to the lifeguard tower where a couple of ace lifeguards were still hanging around 45 minutes past their shifts. They then kicked into high gear, leading a night rescue with a team of two doctors that also happened to be walking by.

After minutes of CPR, Sorel’s once lifeless body got a pulse back. The rest of him followed a few days later — a full recovery that was nothing short of miraculous.

“I just wanted to thank all of the people that brought me through this, I hope I get the opportunity to step up when someone is in need,” said Sorel.

He adding that the near-death experience has not stopped him from doing what he loves and has already jumped back in the water.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 5 San Diego & KUSI News.