SAUSALITO, Calif. (KGO) — Tragedy on the Central Coast where a father is dead. The body of his five-year-old daughter was recovered Sunday after a large wave swept them into the ocean in Monterey County on Friday.
First Responders in the Bay Area say the incident is a reminder to be careful near the water.
On Sunday, the body of a child matching the description of a missing five-year-old washed ashore around 1:25 p.m, according to the Monterey County Sheriff’s Office. The girl’s identity was confirmed Sunday evening after next of kin was notified.
A major search was happening this weekend on the Big Sur coast for the five-year-old little girl, swept into the ocean by a 15-to-20-foot wave Friday. It happened at Garrapata State Beach in Carmel.
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Authorities say the child’s father was also pulled into the water. He did not survive. The child’s mother tried to reach the pair but got pulled into the surf. She made it back to shore. Authorities say the family was visiting from Calgary, Alberta Canada.
“This beach is notorious for large waves and tidal influx, which can come in quickly,” said Mike Dippel, a California State Parks ranger.
At San Francisco’s Ocean Beach, warning signs about the surf are posted. First responders are using the Monterey County tragedy as a painful reminder to be safe around the water.
“Always be aware of the water is doing. Never turn your back on the ocean,” said Lieutenant Mariano Elias from San Francisco Fire Department.
Elias said swimmers have died at this beach and dozens of rescues have been performed here just in the last two years.
MORE: Man dies trying to save dog from SF Ocean Beach surf, fire department says
“Fifty degrees is the normal temperature now, but if you don’t have a wetsuit, you shouldn’t be in the water. We have wind and rain coming in. It’s nice now, but we never know what the ocean will do,” Elias said.
Putnum Daily was playing some football with his sons at China Beach, but there’s always a safety rule near the water.
“We like to come down and throw the football around. We tell our boys, don’t turn your back on the ocean. You never know when a wave could come in and get them,” Daily said.
It’s a beach-safety message worth repeating.
“When in doubt, don’t go out,” Elias said.
Stay with ABC7 News for the latest details on this developing story.
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