Investigators in California have reported a tragic incident where a man from Calgary and his seven-year-old daughter lost their lives after being swept into the Pacific Ocean. The Monterey County Sheriff’s Office disclosed that Yuji Hu, aged 39, was at the beach with his wife and two children last Friday when a large wave carried his daughter into the ocean. In a desperate attempt to save her, both Hu and his wife were also pulled into the water.
Responding swiftly, a beachgoer and an off-duty California park officer managed to rescue Hu from the ocean and administered resuscitation efforts while his wife made her way back to the shore unassisted. Tragically, the girl’s body was discovered by a diver on Sunday, with the family later confirming her age as seven, contrary to the initial report of five.
The Monterey County Sheriff’s Office, in a Facebook post, conveyed the family’s gratitude to all involved in the search and recovery operations, requesting privacy and stating that they have no further comments at this time. The couple’s two-year-old child was fortunately unharmed, and the mother received treatment for mild hypothermia.
Following a comprehensive search operation involving the U.S. Coast Guard, California fire service, divers, and helicopters, the announcement of locating the girl’s body was delayed until the family was informed. The diver found her approximately 100 meters offshore and nearly a kilometer north of her last known whereabouts. The search efforts have now been suspended after a large-scale operation that included setting up a command post from sunrise to sunset on Saturday.
Garrapata State Beach, as described on a California government website, is a state park boasting two beachfronts and a 15-meter cliff offering scenic views of the Monterey coast.