A family holiday in California turned into an unimaginable tragedy when a Canadian father drowned while attempting to rescue his five-year-old daughter from the powerful surf at Garrapata State Beach, a scenic but notoriously perilous stretch of the Big Sur coastline. The child remains missing, and the family is said to be devastated.
The incident occurred on Friday afternoon as the family stood near the shoreline, unaware of the dangerously high surf conditions developing offshore. Officials later reported that waves were reaching heights of 15 to 20 feet—conditions capable of knocking adults off their feet and generating strong rip currents.
According to preliminary accounts, a sudden surge—what coastal experts refer to as a “rogue” or “sneaker” wave—crashed onto the beach, pulling the young girl abruptly into the ocean. Her father, Yuji Hu, reacted instinctively, leaping into the churning water in an effort to bring her back. Despite the hazardous conditions, he managed briefly to grasp his daughter before both were carried further out by the rip.
The child’s mother also entered the water in a frantic attempt to assist, but she was repeatedly struck by breaking waves and eventually forced to retreat to shore. Their two-year-old child, who had remained on the sand, watched as the situation escalated beyond control.
An off-duty lifeguard who happened to be nearby, along with a passer-by, dragged Hu from the surf and immediately began CPR. Emergency crews arrived swiftly, transporting both parents to a local hospital. Hu, however, could not be revived. His wife was treated for hypothermia and released soon after.
Authorities from California State Parks have since launched an extensive search operation for the missing child, covering several miles of coastline by foot and by air. The search is expected to continue for days, though officials acknowledge the harsh realities of the ocean.
The family, described by authorities as deeply grief-stricken, has requested privacy as they process the loss. Police have respected their wishes, refraining from releasing further personal details.
Coastal safety officials have renewed warnings to visitors, stressing that the Pacific coastline—particularly in winter and early spring—can produce sudden, violent waves even during otherwise calm weather. They advise travellers never to stand too close to the waterline and to remain constantly alert to shifting ocean conditions.