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The body of a seven-year-old girl swept into the Pacific Ocean amid high surf was found on Sunday (November 16) off the Central California coast. A diver discovered her body about 100 yards offshore, half a mile north of her last known location near Garrapata State Beach, according to the Monterey County Sheriff's Office. The girl was initially reported to be five years old, but family members confirmed her age as seven. Her name has not been released.
The tragedy unfolded on Friday (November 14) when a wave, estimated at 15 to 20 feet, pulled the girl into the ocean. Her father, Yuji Hu, 39, from Calgary, Alberta, Canada, attempted to rescue her but was also swept away. An off-duty California State Parks lifeguard retrieved Hu from the water and administered CPR. He was taken to a hospital, where he was pronounced dead. The girl's mother also entered the water to help but managed to return to shore with the lifeguard's assistance. She was treated for mild hypothermia and released from the hospital. A two-year-old child with the family was unharmed.
The search for the girl involved multiple agencies, including the U.S. Coast Guard, California State Parks, and Cal Fire. The family expressed gratitude to all involved in the search and recovery efforts. The incident occurred during a winter-pattern storm that brought dangerous surf conditions to the area. The National Weather Service had warned of sneaker waves and double- to triple-overhead surf along the Central Coast.