Search and recovery mission underway in California
MONTEREY COUNTY, Calif. (NBC, KYMA) - A search-and-recovery mission is underway after three people were swept into the ocean Saturday in Big Sur, California.
It comes a week after a father and daughter were killed by dangerous surf in the area.
Just after 3:00 p.m. Pacific, authorities were called to an ocean rescue at Soberanes Point.
Four people, two men and two women, were traveling in the area when one of the men and both of the women were swept into the water.
The two women managed to get out on their own and were taken to the hospital, but the man did not make it out.
"The Coast Guard helicopter did have a sighting of someone in the water. They were able to keep eyes on them, but the conditions of the water, the currents, the swells, unfortunately, made it so that that person could not be retrieved," said Cmdr. Andres Rosas with the Monterey County Sheriff's Office (MCSO.
After losing sight of the body, the response shifted from a search and rescue to a search and recovery.
This comes just eight days after a father and daughter were killed by dangerous surf at Garrapata State Beach, about three miles from Soberanes Point.
"[It's] very difficult to have to respond out to this incident today. And I know that that's on the feeling and on the minds of everybody that's out here. This is the same crew that came out, just eight days ago. And here we find ourselves again," Cmdr. Rosas remarked.
With beach hazard statements issued over the last few weeks, including one in effect Saturday, the risk of sneaker waves remain high.
Agencies continue to urge people to stay away from the water.
"It is not safe at this time to be at the water's edge. Even some of our, first responders here today, some of the lifeguards with state parks have made comments that these conditions are not conditions that they would go into the water for. And they're professionals," Rosas expressed.
