Search Continues for Missing child Swept Into Ocean at Cal-State Beach
A father is dead and a multi-agency search remains underway after a large wave swept a young family into the water along the Big Sur coast.
A large multi-agency search effort is underway along the Big Sur coast after a 5-year-old girl was swept into the ocean by powerful waves at Garrapata State Beach on Friday afternoon. Her father died after being pulled from the water, and her mother survived with mild hypothermia, according to officials.
The incident occurred just before 1 p.m. on November 14, when an off-duty California State Parks Peace Officer/Lifeguard spotted a family in distress near the shoreline at Garrapata State Beach, north of Rocky Point along Highway 1. According to both California State Parks and the Monterey County Sheriff’s Office, waves estimated at 15 to 20 feet high struck the family without warning.
Image: Monterey County Sheriff
A 39-year-old father reportedly entered the water in an attempt to rescue his 5-year-old daughter after she was pulled out by the surge. The mother also tried to reach both of them and was swept in as well. She managed to get back to shore on her own.
The off-duty lifeguard was able to reach the father and began CPR immediately. Both parents were transported to a local hospital, where the father was later pronounced deceased. The mother was listed in stable condition with mild hypothermia. The couple’s 2-year-old child was not injured.
Officials now confirm the missing girl was last seen wearing a white shirt, correcting earlier reports that described the shirt as red.
Search efforts continued until about 9 p.m. Friday, when darkness and deteriorating weather forced recovery crews to suspend operations. The Monterey County Sheriff’s Office re-established command of the search early Saturday, working with State Parks lifeguards, Cal Fire, Monterey County Search and Rescue, the California Highway Patrol, and a U.S. Coast Guard helicopter crew searching by air and water.
Agencies are asking travelers along Highway 1 to avoid stopping near Garrapata State Beach to allow emergency crews enough space to work safely.
The coast in this area is known for unpredictable surf and sudden “sneaker waves,” which can surge far higher and faster than expected.
The search remains active.
Cover image: Monterey County Sheriff
