Search efforts continue Monday afternoon for a man who has been missing after being swept into the ocean in the coastline of California.
On Monday, the Monterey County Sheriff’s Office released the identity of the man who has been missing since Saturday, Nov. 22, when he and two other women were “swept off the rocks and into the ocean” at Soberanes Point within Garrapata State Park.
The man was identified as 35-year-old Spc. Amanpreet Thind, a U.S. Army Specialist from New Jersey, authorities said in a statement.
“The missing person from Saturday’s incident at Garrapata State Park is Spc. Amanpreet Thind, a U.S. Army Soldier, and student at the Defense Language Institute Foreign Language Center,” said Col. Christy L. Whitfield, Commandant at the Defense Language Institute Foreign Language Center in the statement. “As search and recovery operations continue, we hold out hope that Spc. Thind will be found. We offer our deepest condolences to the Thind family during this difficult time. We are providing those impacted with every resource and support service available and extend our heartfelt gratitude to local, state, and national first responders working tirelessly tolocate Spc. Thind.”
The two women self-rescued and were transported to a local hospital, where they were treated for minor injuries and released, authorities said.
“A large-scale multi-agency response was initiated immediately and involved multiple agencies. Search efforts have continued each day but have been suspended during darkness for safety reasons. Search efforts resumed Monday morning led by the Monterey County Sheriff’s Office alongside California State Parks and CalFire,” the Monterey County Sheriff’s Office said. “The Monterey County Sheriff’s Dive Team has reported that water conditions remain unsafe for entry into the water at this time. Conditions appear favorable for Wednesday and a water search may begin depending on those conditions.”
The Monterey County Sheriff’s Office asks the public to stay away from the Soberanes Point area as search efforts continue. A Beach Hazards statement remains in effect until 10 p.m. Monday night, officials said.
“Sneaker waves and strong rip currents with breaking waves of 13 to 18 feet are possible,” according to the Monterey County Sheriff’s Office.
Canadian father and daughter recovered after being swept away in Big Sur
This is the second case this month of a person being swept into the ocean off the coast of Big Sur.
According to the Monterey County Sheriff’s Office, a 7-year-old Candian girl was swept into the ocean by a large wave on Friday, Nov. 14, while visiting Garrapata State Beach with her family.
Her father, identified as 39-year-old Yuji Hu of Calgary, Alberta, Canada, entered the water in efforts to save her.
“As Hu reached for his daughter, both were pulled farther into the ocean,” the Monterey County Sheriff’s Office said in a previous statement. “The child’s mother attempted to assist but was also swept into the water. She was ultimately able to make it back to shore.”
The girl’s body was discovered on Sunday, Nov. 16, by diver Juan Heredia of Stockton, about 100 yards offshore, roughly half-a-mile north of the spot where the girl entered the water, authorities said.
Heredia is the founder of Angels Recovery Dive Team, which he founded in August 2024.
He founded the organization after his first search in the Central Valley, where he recovered Xavier Martinez, a 15-year-old teenager who went missing after jumping into the Calaveras River after a fight broke out at Stagg High School between four students.
Heredia shared on a Facebook post on Sunday that he had visited Soberanes Point Beach to search for the missing man.
He shared that the Monterey County Sheriff’s Office is still actively searching for him and was asked to hold off until they “call off” their operation.
“They have strong resources out here, and their divers are ready to jump the moment they spot him. They’re in the right area, and I’m confident they’ll bring him back to his family,” Heredia said in the post. “Sergeant Johnny Maiorino is very motivated to bring closure as soon as possible.”
On Nov. 17, the Monterey County Sheriff’s Office released the girl’s identity as Anzi Hu of Calgary, Alberta, Canada.
County of Moneterey urges the community to follow its Coastal Safety Guide
In light of recent tragic events, the County of Monterey urges the community to practice its Coastal Safety Guide.
To stay safe during high surf and high wind events, those visiting beaches and the coast must understand the dangers of the high surf and sneaker waves and the high winds and cliffside hazards.
According to the county, this is what to keep in mind.
What are high surf and sneaker waves?
What are hazards related to high winds?
“Monterey County’s coastline is one of the most beautiful and dramatic in the world, but it can also be unpredictable and dangerous, especially during periods of high surf, powerful winds, and storm-driven swells,” the County of Monterey Coastal Safety Guide states. “Each year, tragic incidents occur when individuals underestimate the ocean’s strength, venture onto unstable coastal terrain, or ignore official warnings. We want residents and visitors to enjoy our coastline safely, without putting themselves or loved ones at risk. With preparation, awareness, and respect for changing conditions, tragedies are preventable.”
The guide prepared by the County of Monterey Communications Bureau lists eight key safety tips for all beach and coastal visitors:
“Monterey County extends heartfelt condolences to all families who have lost loved ones along our coastline. These tragedies remind us how powerful and unpredictable the ocean can be,” the county’s news release states. “We encourage everyone — locals and visitors alike — to respect the sea, the weather, and the natural landscape. The beauty of the Central Coast is best enjoyed safely.”
To stay informed, the county of Monterey recommends the community to rely on only official and credible sources. These include:
Daily Press reporter Brian Day contributed to this report.
This article originally appeared on Palm Springs Desert Sun: Man swept into Big Sur identified as U.S. Army Soldier, still missing
Reporting by Angelaydet Rocha, USA TODAY NETWORK / Palm Springs Desert Sun
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
