Search On For 5-Year-Old Girl Swept Into Ocean, Father Dies Trying To Save Her

MONTEREY COUNTY, CA — A father is dead and a 5-year-old girl remains missing Saturday after they were swept into the ocean by a large wave along the Big Sur coast on Friday, authorities said.

Large-scale search operations for the girl were suspended at sunset on Saturday, according to the Monterey County Sheriff's Office. On Sunday, California State Parks personnel will continue searching the shoreline and areas accessible on foot.

The father, who died at the hospital, has been identified as Yuji Hu, 39, of Calgary, Canada.

On Friday, the Monterey County Sheriff’s Office responded to Garrapata State Beach, located along Highway 1 just north of the Rocky Point Restaurant, after receiving a call around 1 p.m. about a family in distress along the shoreline.

According to authorities, Hu was attempting to rescue his 5-year-old daughter from the ocean after she was pulled out by waves estimated to be 15-20 feet high. As the father and daughter were swept into the ocean, the child's mother attempted to reach out to both and was also swept into the water as Hu held on to his daughter’s hand.

A beach visitor and an off-duty California State Parks pulled Hu from the water and began CPR. The child's mother made it back to shore.

Hu and the child's mother were brought to the hospital, where Hu was later pronounced dead. The woman was last listed in stable condition with mild hypothermia.

A 2-year-old child was unharmed.

Authorities searched for the missing girl until 9 p.m. Friday, when efforts were suspended due to weather and lighting conditions. Search efforts resumed on Saturday with assistance from multiple agencies, including a U.S. Coast Guard helicopter.

The missing child was last seen wearing a white shirt, authorities said.

Authorities said the public should avoid stopping at Garrapata State Beach to allow emergency services space to conduct search operations.