Search continues for missing girl swept into ocean in Laguna Beach
Search continues for girl swept into ocean
The desperate search continues for the missing girl who was swept into Pacific Ocean in Laguna Beach.
LAGUNA BEACH, Calif. - A massive multi-agency search expanded on Wednesday for a young girl who was swept into the ocean in Laguna Beach on Tuesday evening.
The disappearance coincides with a historic summer south swell slamming Southern California's coast, driving some of the largest and most dangerous waves seen in years.
What we know:
The incident happened around 7:30 p.m. Tuesday near Treasure Island Beach, according to the Orange County Sheriff's Department.
High surf pounding Southern California beaches created dangerous conditions, producing a wave that swept a mother and her two children off the shoreline and into the ocean.
Search underway for girl swept out by big surf in Laguna Beach
A young girl remains missing after being swept into the ocean by a powerful wave at Treasure Island Beach in Laguna Beach on Tuesday evening.
Witnesses on the scene immediately intervened and successfully rescued the mother and one of the children. However, the second child, described as an adolescent girl, could not be reached and remains missing.
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The emergency response and ongoing search operations are being coordinated by several regional agencies, including the Laguna Beach Marine Safety Department, the Harbor Patrol of the Orange County Sheriff's Department, and the United States Coast Guard.
The dangerous water conditions are being driven by a high surf event affecting both Orange and Los Angeles counties, with breaking waves reaching heights of up to 9 feet along the coast.
What we don't know:
The identity and exact age of the missing girl have not yet been publicly released by authorities.
It is also currently unknown if the mother or the rescued sibling sustained injuries during the incident or required hospitalization after being pulled from the surf by bystanders.
What they're saying:
"We came from Arizona so yeah it's really sad and we stayed a little bit on the sand and we're going right now, it's not safe," said Maya Elters who was visiting Laguna Beach on Sunday with her family.
"I hope I wish, I pray to God that they find her. I'll send my prayers to her, and I advise everybody, just stay safe, it's not a joke," said Elters.
"I definitely wouldn't bring your kids to the beach until this calms down," another person in Laguna Beach said Wednesday.
The National Weather Service and local public safety agencies have issued high surf warnings for regional beaches. Officials have repeatedly urged the public to exercise extreme caution near the shoreline, warning that "powerful water conditions while near the shoreline" can easily catch beachgoers off guard.
"Marine Safety is expanding the search area beyond the victim's last known location," according to a statement from the city. "Members of the public may notice fewer personnel concentrated directly at Treasure Island Beach. This does not indicate a reduction in search efforts. Rather, it reflects a standard search pattern strategy in which resources are redistributed across a broader geographic area based on prevailing ocean conditions, currents, wave action and drift modeling."
Dangerous surfing conditions hit SoCal coast
A Beach Hazards Statement remains in effect through Thursday evening as dangerous surf impacts Southern California beaches.
"Search operations initially focus heavily on the last known location of a missing person," the city statement continued. "As time passes, particularly during periods of large surf and strong currents, search teams expand outward to areas where conditions may have carried a person beyond the original search zone. This process requires personnel, vessels, aircraft and other resources to be deployed along additional sections of the coastline and offshore areas."
Rescuers have been adapting their search strategy as ocean conditions continue to change, according to a city spokeswoman.
What you can do:
Beachgoers are strongly advised to keep a safe distance from the shoreline and avoid low-lying rock formations or wet sand where rogue waves can hit.
Given that the high surf is not expected to subside until Thursday afternoon or evening, local authorities urge the public to obey all posted warning signs and stay out of the water in areas with heavy shore breaks.
Los Angeles County lifeguards advise anyone entering the water "to understand the risks and assess conditions by talking to a lifeguard before getting into the surf.
"There is an increased risk of ocean drowning," the National Weather Service stated. "Rip currents can pull swimmers and surfers out to sea. Waves can wash people off beaches and rocks and capsize small boats near shore."
Rock jetties and groins can be particularly dangerous during such conditions, with a high risk of being washed into the water, according to the NWS.
What's next:
Search teams will continue utilizing vessels, aircraft, and personnel to scan expanded sections of the coastline and offshore areas based on current and drift modeling.
Local authorities will keep monitoring the dangerous beach conditions, as waves exceeding 9 feet are expected to persist before subsiding later this week.
The Source: This report is based on information provided by the Orange County Sheriff's Department and the National Weather Service. City News Service contributed.