Body of 7-Year-Old Girl Swept Out to Sea at Garrapata Beach Washes Ashore; Father Drowned Trying to Save Her

California officials say the body of a young girl that washed ashore Sunday appears to match the description of the 7-year-old child swept out to sea in Big Sur on Friday, a tragedy that also claimed the life of her father, Yuji Hu, who drowned trying to save her.

According to Mid Coast Fire Brigade Chief Cheryl Goetz, the child’s body was discovered around 1:25 p.m. along Garrapata Beach, where dangerous 15–20 foot waves had been hammering the shoreline for days. The remains will now be transported to Salinas for formal identification by the coroner. Authorities initially believed the child was 5 years old, but family who traveled to the area confirmed she was 7.

The heartbreaking incident began Friday, November 14, when powerful waves swept the child off the shoreline at Garrapata State Park. Her father, 39-year-old Yuji Hu of Calgary, Alberta, immediately jumped into the water in an attempt to save her. Hu was pulled under by the same powerful swell. His wife also entered the ocean to help but was unable to reach them; she eventually made it back to shore and was treated for hypothermia. A 2-year-old sibling remained unharmed.

A visiting beachgoer and an off-duty California State Parks officer managed to pull Hu from the water and performed CPR, but he was later pronounced dead at the hospital. The officer reported seeing both parents struggling against the waves at approximately 12:50 p.m., according to a State Parks statement.

Authorities launched a large search effort throughout Friday and Saturday as rescuers battled rough seas intensified by a recent storm. The National Weather Service had issued a beach hazards advisory, warning the public about dangerous, unexpected waves along the Big Sur coast through November 14. It is still unclear whether advisories were posted at the beach that day or whether park officials considered closing the area due to the hazardous conditions.

Garrapata State Park officials have since issued another public reminder urging beach visitors to never turn their back to the ocean, especially during high-surf events.