Emergency crews in California are battling treacherous conditions as they continue the search for a man who was swept into the Pacific Ocean at a popular coastal park, marking the second such tragedy in the area in just over a week.
Dramatic Rescue Attempt Amidst Dangerous Surf
The incident occurred on Saturday afternoon just after 3pm at the scenic but hazardous Soberanes Point within Garrapata State Park, near Big Sur. According to the Monterey County Sheriff’s Office, three individuals were suddenly pulled into the water from the rocky shoreline. Witnesses reported hearing the group yelling for help as they were overcome by the powerful surf.
In a stroke of fortune, two women who were dragged into the ocean managed to fight their way back to safety and pull themselves out of the water. However, a man, described as being approximately 30 years old and wearing a white turban with black clothing, was unable to escape and remained missing.
Large-Scale Search Operation Hampered by Conditions
A major multi-agency response was immediately launched, involving the Monterey County Search and Rescue team, California State Parks lifeguards, and the US Coast Guard. The search, however, faced significant challenges from the outset.
At approximately 4:24pm on Saturday, a US Coast Guard helicopter located what appeared to be a body in the water. Tragically, due to the dangerously high surf and powerful currents, visual contact was lost and the individual could not be relocated. Authorities confirmed that high winds and unsafe water conditions have severely hindered search efforts, preventing divers from conducting any underwater operations.
The combination of darkness and the persistent hazardous conditions forced teams to suspend their search on both Saturday and Sunday evening. Officials have stated that operations are planned to resume on Monday morning.
A Repeat Tragedy on the California Coast
This devastating event echoes a similar tragedy that occurred just the previous week in the same state park, only a few miles away. A seven-year-old girl was killed after being swept into the ocean by waves estimated to be up to 20 feet high at Garrapata Beach. Her father, 39-year-old Yuji Hu from Calgary, Alberta, tragically lost his own life while attempting to save his daughter.
Garrapata State Park is renowned for its stunning beauty, featuring miles of beaches, hiking trails that ascend from the shore to redwood groves, and breathtaking views of the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary. Despite its allure, authorities have issued stern warnings, stating that coastal conditions remain extremely dangerous.
The public is strongly advised to avoid the Soberanes Point area of the park, stay off all coastal rocks, and not enter the water under any circumstances until conditions improve.
