Search Continues for Man Swept into Pacific Ocean
Emergency crews in California are engaged in a desperate search for a man who was swept into the ocean from a rocky outcrop in the Big Sur area. The incident occurred on Saturday afternoon at Soberanes Point within Garrapata State Park, marking the second tragic water-related event at the location in just one week.
According to the Monterey County Sheriff’s Office, three people were pulled into the water shortly after 3pm. Witnesses reported hearing the group yelling for help as they were overcome by the powerful surf. While two women managed to pull themselves to safety, a man, described as being approximately 30 years old and wearing a white turban with black clothing, was carried away and remains missing.
Dangerous Conditions Hinder Rescue Operation
A large, multi-agency rescue operation was immediately launched, involving teams from the county's search and rescue unit, California State Parks, and the US Coast Guard. The search, however, has been severely hampered by perilous conditions.
High winds and unsafe water conditions have limited the ability of divers to conduct underwater searches. A potential breakthrough came at 4:24pm on Saturday when a US Coast Guard helicopter crew spotted what appeared to be a body in the water. Tragically, due to the dangerous surf, visual contact was lost and the individual could not be relocated.
The combined challenges of darkness and hazardous conditions forced authorities to suspend the search on both Saturday and Sunday evenings. Officials have confirmed that operations are scheduled to resume on Monday morning.
A Tragic History at Garrapata State Park
This latest incident echoes a heartbreaking tragedy that occurred just one week prior in the same state park, only a few miles away. A seven-year-old girl was 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, died after heroically entering the water in a futile attempt to save her.
Garrapata State Park is renowned for its stunning coastal scenery, miles of beaches, and hiking trails that ascend from the shoreline to redwood groves. Despite its beauty, authorities have issued a stern warning, stating that 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.
