Tragedy Strikes Canadian Family on California Coast
A Canadian family's vacation turned into a nightmare when a massive ocean wave swept a Calgary father and his five-year-old daughter into the Pacific Ocean during a beach outing last Friday. The incident occurred at Garrapata State Beach in California, leaving 39-year-old Yuji Hu dead and his young daughter missing.
The Fatal Incident Unfolds
The Monterey County Sheriff's Office confirmed that Yuji Hu was visiting the popular coastal park with his wife and their two children when tragedy struck. According to investigators, an approximately six-metre-tall wave suddenly crashed onto the shoreline, dragging the couple's five-year-old daughter into the turbulent waters.
When both parents rushed to rescue their daughter, the powerful surge pulled them into the ocean as well. The family's two-year-old child, who remained on the beach, was unharmed during the terrifying incident.
Rescue Efforts and Aftermath
Quick action from bystanders prevented further tragedy. A beach visitor and an off-duty California park officer managed to pull Yuji Hu from the water and immediately began resuscitation efforts. Meanwhile, Hu's wife successfully made her way back to shore independently.
Emergency services transported both adults to a nearby hospital, where Yuji Hu was pronounced dead. His wife received treatment for mild hypothermia but survived the ordeal.
The search for the missing five-year-old girl prompted a large-scale response involving multiple agencies. According to the Monterey County Sheriff's Office, the child was last seen wearing a white shirt when she disappeared into the ocean.
Extensive Search Operation
Rescue teams conducted an intensive search operation throughout Saturday, establishing a command post that operated from sunrise to sunset. The effort involved personnel from the U.S. Coast Guard, California's fire service, dive teams, and helicopter crews scanning the coastline and waters.
Despite these comprehensive efforts, the active search has since been suspended. However, California State Parks maintained personnel on Sunday to continue shoreline and accessible-area searches on foot at Garrapata State Beach.
The sheriff's office noted that a spokesperson for the grieving family has requested privacy as they navigate this devastating situation. The tragedy serves as a stark reminder of the unpredictable power of ocean waves, even at seemingly calm beach locations.
Garrapata State Beach, described on California government websites as featuring two beach fronts and dramatic 15-metre-tall cliffs overlooking the Monterey coast, is known for its scenic beauty but can experience sudden dangerous wave conditions.
