On Friday at Garrapata State Beach in Big Sur, a seven-year-old Canadian girl and her father, Yuji Hu, were swept into the ocean by powerful waves. The Monterey County Sheriff’s Office confirmed that both bodies have been recovered.
The family, visiting from Calgary, Alberta, Canada, were on the beach when 15- to 20-foot waves, driven by a severe storm system, struck. The father, 39-year-old Yuji Hu, attempted to save his daughter after she was pulled into the ocean by the surf. According to the Los Angeles Times, Hu was rescued from the water by a beachgoer and an off-duty California State Parks officer, but was pronounced dead at a local hospital.
The mother also entered the water in an effort to assist but managed to return to shore, where she was treated for mild hypothermia. Their two-year-old child remained unharmed on the beach. A large-scale search for the girl continued through Saturday, with her body being discovered on Sunday about 100 yards offshore, as reported by ABC News.
The incident occurred amid an atmospheric river event that brought heavy rain, strong winds, and flash floods to California’s central and southern coasts. This weather phenomenon resulted in widespread damage and other fatalities in the region, including a delivery driver near Sacramento and suspected migrants off the coast of San Diego, according to the New York Post.
The grieving family has requested privacy during this difficult time and has not issued any public statements. The Monterey County Sheriff’s Office, along with other agencies, continues to monitor the area for safety concerns.
Recent Comments