Father and 7-year-old daughter die trying to rescue each other at Northern California beach
TOI GLOBAL DESK | TOI GLOBAL | Nov 17, 2025, 22:43 IST
A visit to Garrapata State Beach turned tragic when a seven-year-old girl was swept into the ocean, and her father drowned trying to save her. Officials say the mother survived after being pulled from the surf, while a toddler with them was unharmed. The girl’s body was recovered after a two-day search. Authorities urge families to stay alert near dangerously powerful coastal waters this season.
A heartbreaking tragedy struck at Garrapata State Beach in Northern California: a 7-year-old girl and her father drowned after being swept into the ocean by a massive wave. According to the Monterey County Sheriff’s Office, a 15 to 20 foot wave pulled the child away while the family was visiting the shoreline. Her father, 39-year-old Yuji Hu of Calgary, ran into the water to save her but he too was swept out.
Officials said the girl’s mother tried to help but was quickly overwhelmed by the surf. She was later treated for hypothermia and released. Thankfully, a 2 year old sibling who was also at the beach stayed safe during the incident.
Rescue teams searched for the girl for nearly two days. A diver finally found her body offshore, and she was later confirmed to be the little girl who had gone missing. The sheriff’s office said the family has expressed deep gratitude to all the agencies and community volunteers involved in the search, but they are requesting privacy while they process their loss.
“This was a family enjoying a moment together. Now their lives will never be the same,” the sheriff’s office said in a statement.
It’s a painful reminder of how unpredictable and dangerous the ocean can be even on a day that starts out calm. Families visiting the coast are being urged to stay alert, obey local safety signs and respect the power of the waves.
Officials said the girl’s mother tried to help but was quickly overwhelmed by the surf. She was later treated for hypothermia and released. Thankfully, a 2 year old sibling who was also at the beach stayed safe during the incident.
Rescue teams searched for the girl for nearly two days. A diver finally found her body offshore, and she was later confirmed to be the little girl who had gone missing. The sheriff’s office said the family has expressed deep gratitude to all the agencies and community volunteers involved in the search, but they are requesting privacy while they process their loss.
“This was a family enjoying a moment together. Now their lives will never be the same,” the sheriff’s office said in a statement.
It’s a painful reminder of how unpredictable and dangerous the ocean can be even on a day that starts out calm. Families visiting the coast are being urged to stay alert, obey local safety signs and respect the power of the waves.