Trendpills
A Canadian man has died and his five-year-old daughter remains missing after they were swept into the Pacific Ocean by a large wave at Garrapata State Park in Big Sur, California. The incident occurred Friday afternoon, prompting a large-scale search and rescue operation along the rugged coastline.
The victim was identified as Yuji Hu, a 39-year-old from Calgary, Alberta. According to the Monterey County Sheriff’s Office, the family was near the water when a wave, estimated to be between 15 and 20 feet high, pulled the young girl into the sea. Hu entered the water in an attempt to save his daughter. Reports indicate the tragic sequence of events unfolded near the Rocky Point Restaurant area.
The girl’s mother, who also tried to help, was briefly swept into the water but managed to get out. She was subsequently transported to a local hospital and treated for hypothermia. First responders were able to recover Hu from the ocean, but he was pronounced dead at the scene.
A multi-agency effort, including the U.S. Coast Guard, CAL FIRE, California State Parks, and the Sheriff's Office, was launched immediately. The search for the five-year-old girl continued over the weekend, involving air and water assets as well as personnel searching the shoreline. Despite the extensive efforts, the child has not yet been located.
Authorities have repeatedly warned visitors about the dangers of the Northern California coast, particularly from powerful and unpredictable “sneaker waves” that can surge much further up the beach than expected. The ongoing rescue operation highlights the perilous conditions faced by both the public and emergency responders in the area. The search continues as conditions permit.
