California surf disaster: Big Sur wave pulls three into ocean, one still missing

Three people were swept into the ocean near Big Sur California on Saturday, as dangerous surf pounded the Central Coast for the second weekend in a row.

The Monterey County Sheriff’s Office said the search for the missing man has shifted to a recovery mission after a Coast Guard helicopter briefly spotted a body in the water before losing sight in heavy waves just off Soberanes Point.

Deputies said a group of four adults was at the rocky point north of Garrapata Beach when, for unknown reasons, two women and a man were pulled into the ocean during the afternoon swell.

The women were rescued and taken to a hospital in unknown condition. The man, described as being in his 30s and wearing a white turban, black shorts, a black shirt and a black vest, has not been found.

The initial 911 call came in around 3 p.m. Saturday. Just before 4:30 p.m., a Coast Guard crew reported seeing a body floating roughly 100 meters from shore but could not maintain visual contact because of the surf.

Search teams suspended operations at nightfall due to lack of light.

The incident took place barely a week after a Calgary father and his 7-year-old daughter were killed by powerful surf at Garrapata Beach.

Authorities identified the girl as Anzi Hu. Her father, 39-year-old Yuji Hu, died after running into the water to try to save her.

The Monterey County Sheriff’s Office said a tourist and an off-duty lifeguard rushed in when they saw the family struggling in the waves during Friday’s high-surf conditions.

Rosas, a public information officer with the sheriff’s office, said Yuji was swept away while attempting to pull his daughter back to shore.